HOUSTON — A recently filed lawsuit is alleging that an 11-year old boy was branded during a cultural ceremony at their temple without his father’s knowledge or consent.
According to a press release, on Aug. 5, 2023, the plaintiff’s eleven year old son was invited to attend a cultural event that was being hosted at the Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land. The event involved burning the child’s shoulders with a burning hot iron rod. As a result, the minor suffered extreme pain and permanent disfigurement.
In addition to branding the child, the Defendants did nothing to ensure that medical professionals were present for the branding. As a result, the child developed an infection from the branding, the press release states.
The lawsuit alleges negligence, gross negligence, and premises liability, and seeks damages exceeding $1 million for medical, hospital and pharmaceutical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages, as a result of the minors injuries. The lawsuit also seeks to recover future medical expenses and mental anguish.
Houston attorneys, Brant J. Stogner, Jennifer Stogner, and Taylor Pace of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, along with attorney Andrew M. Williams of Andrew M. Williams & Associates, are representing the plaintiffs.
“Branding children, for any reason, is wrong, and it is against the law in the state of Texas and in this country,” Stogner said. “I am shocked that such an event was allowed to occur in the first place, and the individuals and companies involved must be held accountable so that this never happens again.”