Shanei Hurlbert has filed a wrongful death and survival action lawsuit against Maheswary Jegatheswaran, HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Hospital, and Ashley Richards. The complaint was filed in the Harris County District Court on May 13, 2024.
The case revolves around the tragic death of Ariel Hurlbert, who passed away on June 17, 2022, after receiving medical treatment from the defendants. According to the plaintiff, Ariel was admitted with symptoms consistent with new-onset seizures, which placed her at an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. Despite this high-risk status, Ariel was allegedly not placed on necessary monitoring systems such as telemetry monitoring or provided with a CPAP device and continuous pulse oximetry monitoring. Her persistently elevated heart rate and low blood calcium levels were indicative of serious conditions like Rhabdomyolysis that required close observation.
The complaint details several points of alleged negligence by the defendants. It states that Ariel's heart rate remained elevated beyond normal limits without appropriate telemetry monitoring. Additionally, her low pulse oximetry level of 88% was noted but reportedly not followed up before her cardio-respiratory arrest. These lapses in standard care are cited as direct causes leading to Ariel's untimely death.
Plaintiff Shanei Hurlbert argues that the defendants are responsible for these negligent acts through various theories of vicarious liability including actual authority, apparent authority, respondeat superior, and ratification. The suit claims that the defendants' employees and agents failed to provide adequate care within their scope of employment and under the direction of their employers.
In terms of relief sought, Shanei Hurlbert is requesting damages for mental anguish both past and future, loss of companionship and society, pecuniary losses, loss of household services in both past and future contexts, loss of inheritance, and funeral expenses reimbursement under wrongful death action damages. For survival action damages related to Ariel's estate, she seeks compensation for pain and suffering endured by Ariel before her death, mental anguish experienced by Ariel, physical disfigurement and impairment suffered by Ariel, past medical expenses incurred during treatment efforts for Ariel’s condition prior to her passing away.
Represented by attorney James O. Blackwell III from The Blackwell Law Firm based in Houston Texas; Plaintiff also requests a jury trial as part of this lawsuit proceedings against Defendants Maheswary Jegatheswaran individually residing in Harris County Texas; HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Hospital d/b/a CHCA Clear Lake L.P., registered agent CT Corporation System located at Dallas TX; Ashley Richards another individual residing within Harris County Texas.
The case has been assigned Case ID: 2024-30323 under Judge Jarod Stirrup at Court No: 281 Harris County District Court.