A tragic medical malpractice case has been filed in Harris County, Texas, involving a deceased patient and allegations of gross negligence against two doctors and a medical institute. On August 13, 2024, Rene Blanco, individually and as the representative of the estate of Miriam Blanco, along with other family members, filed a complaint against Dr. Leo Lapuerta, Dr. Brittney Lapuerta, and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas.
The lawsuit centers around an incident on August 31, 2022, when Miriam Blanco underwent a suction lipectomy procedure at the Plastic Surgery Institute. The plaintiffs allege that during the surgery conducted by Dr. Leo Lapuerta and anesthesiologist Dr. Brittney Lapuerta, multiple breaches in standard medical care occurred that led to Ms. Blanco's untimely death. According to the complaint, Ms. Blanco experienced severe complications during the surgery including intraoperative asystole—a complete cessation of heart activity—after being moved from a prone to supine position.
Detailed in the court documents are specific accusations against both doctors for failing to properly monitor and respond to critical changes in Ms. Blanco’s condition during surgery. The complaint states that “end-tidal CO2 levels began dropping” significantly during the procedure but were not adequately addressed by Dr. Brittney Lapuerta until it was too late. Additionally, there was a delay in initiating CPR after recognizing pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrest at 17:44 which did not commence until 17:50.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs accuse Dr. Leo Lapuerta of negligence in handling surgical instruments which allegedly perforated Ms. Blanco’s abdomen/pelvic cavity causing fatal internal bleeding. They also assert that both doctors failed to communicate effectively about critical observations such as blood presence in the foley catheter bag indicative of kidney damage.
The plaintiffs seek damages under Texas's Wrongful Death Act and Survivor's Act for their immense loss and suffering caused by what they describe as gross negligence on part of the defendants. They are demanding monetary relief exceeding $200,000 but not more than $5 million for physical pain and suffering endured by Ms. Blanco before her death, mental anguish suffered by her family members, loss of companionship and support from Ms. Blanco among other compensatory damages.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys John A. Davis Jr., Steven R. Davis from Davis & Davis law firm based in Houston, Texas.