A man’s routine visit to an emergency room turned into a life-threatening ordeal, leading him to file a lawsuit against the healthcare providers involved. On June 13, 2024, Reginald Smith Jr. filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against Nashat Latib, D.O., Hilary Renee Edwards, R.N., HCA Houston ER 24/7 – Bellaire (formerly known as SignatureCare – Bellaire), and C-HCA, Inc.
Smith alleges that on December 15, 2022, he visited HCA Houston ER 24/7 – Bellaire with complaints of lower left flank pain. He provided detailed information about his medical history and current medications on a questionnaire given to Nurse Hilary Renee Edwards. Despite this, Edwards documented “unknown medications” in his medical chart. Dr. Nashat Latib conducted only a brief physical examination and diagnosed Smith with an abdominal wall strain without performing any diagnostic tests. Smith was prescribed 2400 mg of ibuprofen per day for ten days and a muscle relaxant.
Within four days of following the prescribed treatment plan, Smith's condition deteriorated rapidly. He experienced weakness, light-headedness, and heart palpitations and subsequently sought emergency care at Houston Methodist Hospital. There he was found to have dangerously high blood pressure and was diagnosed with nephrotoxicity leading to acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute renal failure (ARF). He was admitted for inpatient care and later transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands for further treatment including dialysis.
Smith contends that prior to his visit to SignatureCare Bellaire, his kidney functions were normal as confirmed by his primary care physician during a routine physical examination. He claims that the defendants' negligence resulted in severe injuries requiring months of dialysis and ongoing medical treatment.
The lawsuit asserts multiple causes of action including medical malpractice and gross negligence against all defendants. Smith argues that the healthcare providers failed to properly evaluate his symptoms, document his medical history accurately, perform necessary diagnostic tests or follow-up care which collectively led to significant harm.
Smith is seeking over $1 million in damages for medical expenses incurred due to the alleged negligence as well as compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, economic loss, and exemplary damages for gross negligence or malice under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 41.003(a). He also challenges any statutory limitations on damages as unconstitutional under both Texas state law and the U.S. Constitution.
Representing Smith are attorneys Brenton J. Allison from Gilman Allison LLP and Marc Michael Rose from Rose Law Group PLLC. The case has been assigned Case ID: 2024-37558 in the 295th Judicial District Court presided over by Judge Marilyn Burgess.