Eddie Bernice Johnson's family says medical neglect led to former congresswoman's death
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson died a “terrible, painful death” from an infection caused by negligence at her Dallas recovery facility following a September back surgery, according to a statement Thursday from Johnson’s family outlining their intention to file a lawsuit.
"She had no reason not to be here," Kirk Johnson, the congresswoman's son, told reporters at a Thursday afternoon news conference. "If she had gotten the proper care, she would be here today."
The family notified Baylor Scott & White Health System and Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation of their intention to sue on the grounds of medical negligence. A wound from a September back surgery became infected when the congresswoman was left to lie in her own feces in her bed for about an hour at the rehab center while she repeatedly asked for help that didn’t come, according to Les Weisbrod, attorney for the family. If a settlement is not reach in the next 60 days, a lawsuit will be filed.
After undergoing more surgery to treat the infection, Johnson, 89, died from a spinal infection while in hospice care at her home on New Year’s Eve.
https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/04/texas-eddie-bernice-johnson-lawsuit/