A lawsuit has been filed against a prominent healthcare system alleging gross negligence leading to the death of a patient. Tiana Capers, on behalf of the estate of Joseph McDuffie Capers, filed the complaint in Harris County District Court on July 19, 2024, accusing Memorial Hermann Health Systems and its associated hospitals of severe lapses in care.
According to the court documents, Joseph Capers was transported to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center on July 20, 2022. Due to bed space issues, he was transferred to Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital two days later. By this time, Mr. Capers had already developed a Stage II pressure ulcer on his buttocks. The plaintiff alleges that during his stay at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights from July 22, 2022, until October 15, 2022, Mr. Capers' condition deteriorated significantly due to inadequate medical care.
The lawsuit details how Mr. Capers underwent surgery on September 9, 2022, for multiple unstageable decubitus ulcers which had progressed severely under the hospital's care. Post-operative diagnoses revealed extensive and infected wounds down to the bone and muscle tissue. Despite being placed on an antibiotic regimen and undergoing further surgical interventions like sacral decubitus debridement on October 3, 2022—which triggered recurrent septic shock—Mr. Capers' condition continued to worsen.
The complaint highlights numerous failures by the defendants including not following proper bed sore prevention protocols, failing to recognize and treat developing pressure ulcers promptly, and inadequate documentation of Mr. Capers' condition. These lapses allegedly led to eight severe wounds that were not present when Mr. Capers was initially admitted.
Plaintiff Tiana Capers asserts that these negligent actions directly resulted in Joseph McDuffie Capers' suffering and eventual death on March 30, 2023. The suit claims damages for mental anguish suffered by both the plaintiff and decedent, physical pain endured by Mr. Capers before his death, medical expenses incurred during his treatment period at the defendants’ facilities, as well as funeral and burial costs.
In addition to seeking monetary relief between $250,000 and $1 million for these damages within the jurisdictional limits of the court, Tiana Capers is also pursuing pre-judgment and post-judgment interest at the highest legal rate allowed by law.
Representing Tiana Capers are attorneys Bridgit Ann White and Mark O. Midani from Midani & White law firm based in Houston. The case has been assigned Case ID: 2024-45578 in Harris County District Court with Judge Marilyn Burgess presiding over it.