Organ Transplant Fluid|Blamed for Death

DALLAS (CN) - The family of a lung transplant recipient sued a Dallas-based organ bank, claiming he died because of problems with the fluid in which the organs were transported.

Verba Klingsick of Yukon, Okla., Diana Klilngsick of Coffeyville, Kan., and Jana Carrasco of Carlsbad, N.M. sued the Southwest Transplant Alliance, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Vitrolife, in Dallas County Court.

They say their relative, William Klingsick, died 2 days after he received a lung transplant at the medical center. He died on July 23, 2010.

"The pH level in the fluid used to preserve the organs while being transported was not maintained at the optimal pH level by the Southwest Transplant Alliance," the complaint states. "The fluid that was used to preserve the lungs was manufactured by defendant Vitrolife Inc."

The Klingsicks say the defendants failed to properly preserve and maintain the organs's viability, failed to follow proper organ transportation procedures and failed to check the pH levels before or during transport to the medical center, among other things.

In particular, they accuse Vitrolife of selling transport fluid with improper pH levels, failing to properly test the fluid and failing to properly train its staff.

On July 5, a similar lawsuit was filed in the same court against the organ bank and medical center by Robert Cummings of Royce City. He said he was injured by the lung transplant he received on July 7, 2010, due to the transport fluid having improper pH levels, as well.

The Klingsicks seek actual and punitive damages for wrongful death, negligence and gross negligence. They are represented by Andrew Sommerman with Sommerman Quesada in Dallas.

Follow @davejourno

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit