A family in Houston, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Thomas R. Hastings, a prominent surgeon, and the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) alleging that Hastings improperly denied them a life-saving liver transplant. The suit, filed in Harris County District Court, claims Hastings falsified medical records to prevent the patient from being placed on the transplant list.
The allegations center around Hastings’s conduct as a transplant surgeon at UTHealth, where he held a position of significant influence. According to the lawsuit, Hastings fabricated documentation suggesting the patient was non-compliant with medical advice, a claim the family vehemently denies. This alleged falsification effectively removed the patient from consideration for a transplant, leading to a rapid decline in their health.
The Houston Chronicle reported that the family is seeking damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of life expectancy. The lawsuit further alleges a pattern of similar behavior by Hastings, suggesting other patients may have been unfairly denied transplants due to manipulated records. CBS News has also reported on the allegations, detailing claims that Hastings allegedly blocked multiple patients from receiving liver transplants.
Dr. Hastings has a history of assertive courtroom demeanor, as noted in a Law.com profile, which described him as leaving “no doubt who’s in control in his court.” While this profile does not directly relate to the transplant allegations, it offers insight into his professional style.
The U.S. Department of State lists Thomas R. Hastings, but this listing does not provide information relevant to the current allegations.
An indictment was issued against Hastings, accusing him of making false statements that directly impeded patients’ access to potentially life-saving liver transplants, according to another report from the Houston Chronicle. The specific details of the indictment remain under seal, but the charges suggest a criminal investigation is underway.
UTHealth has not yet issued a comprehensive public statement regarding the lawsuit or the indictment. The institution has acknowledged that Hastings is no longer affiliated with the hospital, but has not provided details surrounding his departure. The case is ongoing, and a trial date has not been set.
