A medical malpractice lawsuit has been filed, bringing to light serious allegations against a Houston-based obstetrician-gynecologist and his practice. The complaint, lodged by Sandra Soliz and Rudy Soliz in the District Court of Harris County on December 11, 2024, accuses Dr. Isam Balat, his professional association, and Plaza OB-GYN Associates of negligence during a surgical procedure that led to severe complications for Sandra Soliz.
The plaintiffs, Sandra and Rudy Soliz, allege that Dr. Isam Balat performed a laparoscopic hysterectomy on Sandra in February 2024 which resulted in significant post-operative complications due to negligence. According to the petition filed with the court, the surgery was meant to address post-menopausal bleeding but instead led to an unintended perforation of the colon. This error was discovered only after Sandra suffered from sepsis and required additional surgeries and extensive hospitalization. The plaintiffs claim that Dr. Balat failed "to accurately define the anatomy of the surrounding abdominal structures" and "failed to perform a pre-closure inspection," which would have likely revealed the injury before concluding the procedure.
The lawsuit details how Sandra's condition deteriorated following her discharge from Binz Surgery Center after her initial operation on February 27, 2024. On March 1, pathology reports revealed that what was thought to be an ovary removed during surgery was actually a section of her colon. This prompted immediate medical intervention at HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center where further surgery confirmed feculent fluid and peritonitis due to a perforated colon. Dr. Emad Asham performed an emergency colectomy with end colostomy with Dr. Balat assisting.
The plaintiffs are seeking over $1 million in damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of earnings capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, as well as punitive damages for gross negligence. They argue that these injuries have also caused Rudy Soliz loss of consortium due to his wife's prolonged recovery process.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Les Weisbrod and Alexandra Boone from Miller Weisbrod Olesky LLP based in Dallas, Texas. The case is presided over by Judge Patricia Jones under Case ID 2024-86185 in Harris County's 165th Judicial District Court.