Suit Claims Man Was Given Morphine Despite Allergy

A couple has filed a personal injury suit against Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, alleging that doctor’s administered morphine to the man, despite him telling them that he was allergic.

According to the suit filed by Burl and Erin Corkran on February 23 in Texas’ Jefferson County District Court, Burl Corkran was admitted to Christus Hospital on February 26, 2007 and suffered a severe allergic reaction after being injected with morphine.

The suit claims Corkran told medical personnel that he was allergic to morphine and that his condition had been clearly noted in his medical chart.

Corkran claims the doctors administering morphine to him caused him to incur medical costs and experience physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, and physical disfigurement.

Erin Corkran claims to have experienced the loss of her husband’s society and household services as well as her own mental anguish.

The Corkrans have asked that the court declare a $250,000 cap for their pain, mental anguish, impairment, and disfigurement damages to be unconstitutional and seek damages in excess of the minimum jurisdictional requirements for Jefferson County District Court.