A Harris County resident has taken legal action against a local dermatology clinic and its physician, alleging severe medical negligence that resulted in significant personal injury. Dawn Powell filed a complaint on July 3, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, accusing Westlake Dermatology of Houston, PLLC, and Dr. Quynh-Giao Sartor of failing to meet the standard of care during her treatment.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on August 11, 2022, when Powell received treatment for rosacea at Westlake Dermatology. According to the complaint, Dr. Sartor improperly used a laser device on Powell's face, leading to severe burns and subsequent disfigurement. The plaintiff asserts that the defendants' actions were not only negligent but also grossly negligent and malicious. "Defendants failed to meet the standard of care in treating Ms. Powell’s rosacea," reads the complaint, highlighting that the improper use of medical equipment caused "severe burns to her face," resulting in ongoing pain and suffering.
Powell's lawsuit outlines several specific accusations against Westlake Dermatology and Dr. Sartor. These include failure to provide adequate training for medical personnel on using medical equipment, failure to ensure that equipment was properly calibrated, and lack of necessary policies and procedures to prevent patient injuries. The plaintiff claims these failures constitute both negligence and gross negligence under Texas law.
In addition to seeking compensatory damages exceeding $200,000 for her injuries, Powell is also pursuing punitive damages against both defendants. She argues that their conduct warrants exemplary damages "in an amount sufficient to punish and deter" similar future behavior by them or others in the medical profession. The lawsuit states: "These acts or omissions were the acts or omissions of Defendants themselves... Plaintiff is entitled... to punitive or exemplary damages."
Powell's petition also invokes the doctrine of Respondeat Superior, asserting that Dr. Sartor was acting as an agent or employee of Westlake Dermatology at the time of the incident. Therefore, she contends that the clinic should be held vicariously liable for Dr. Sartor's actions.
Represented by attorney Jacques G. Balette from Marks Balette Young & Moss P.L.L.C., Powell demanded a jury trial for all issues presented in her petition. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-42500 and will be heard by Judge Wanda Chambers in Harris County's 215th Judicial District Court.