A man whose wife allegedly died of a prescription pain killer overdose in 2015 is suing a Texarkana doctor in Miller County Circuit Court.
A suit filed Monday on behalf of Michael Harrison Spencer and the estate of Kathy Renea Spencer by Texarkana attorney Howard Mowery alleges James Weedman is guilty of negligence in Kathy Spencer’s death. Weedman practices at the Texarkana Pain Management Center on Arkansas Blvd. in Texarkana, Ark.
According to the complaint for damages, Weedman was treating Kathy Spencer for chronic back pain. Weedman allegedly prescribed high dosages of Oxycodone and Oxycontin for pain relief. Kathy Spencer, 47, died Nov. 26, 2015.
The complaint alleges Weedman should have been monitoring Kathy Spencer’s blood levels but did not and that Weedman is guilty of negligence for prescribing high dosages of narcotics.
A medical expert affidavit will be filed within 30 days of the date the complaint was filed.
“Plaintiff has not had an opportunity to get said affidavit due to the fact that he has been unable to attain the requested medical records,” the complaint states.
The suit seeks damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and wrongful death. Damages for Kathy Spencer’s medical care before death and for funeral expenses are requested also.
The case has been assigned to Miller County Circuit Judge Carlton Jones.
Several area Texas counties, including Bowie County, have filed suit in a Texarkana federal court against pharmaceutical companies alleging they deceptively marketed opioid drugs as safe for long term use in patients with chronic pain.
