Richmond residents accuse Houston hospital of negligence

A Houston hospital is being sued over claims its employees injured a patient from Richmond by failing to heed his diet restrictions.

Richmond residents Lawrence and Carolyn Sliva filed a lawsuit on Aug. 29 in Harris County District Court against St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, with a location in Southwest Houston, citing medical negligence.

The Slivas say on June 16, 2010, hospital staff injured Lawrence, a patient at the time, when they left him alone to eat noodles, meat and potatoes, even though he was confused and had a history of choking. The suit alleges the staff should have fed Sliva a clear liquid diet.

The plaintiffs are seeking damaged and court costs. They are being represented in the case by Sugar Land attorney S. Scott West.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2012-49363.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.