It sounds like a horror movie. For months, a nurse intentionally injects air into medically stable patients’ IV lines, causing cardiac arrest and strokes. At least two people died, and others have been left in a vegetative state. Unfortunately, these are the actual charges that William George Davis, a former registered nurse at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances faces. Learn more about this horrific, developing story below.
Mr. Davis Is Facing Murder Charges
On April 10, 2018, a Smith County judge signed a warrant for Nurse Davis’ arrest. The arrest affidavit alleges that Nurse Davis intentionally injected air into seven patients’ IV lines, murdering at least one patient.
Injecting air into an IV can cause serious, life-threatening injuries because it forms a bubble, known as an air embolism. The bubble of air then travels through your veins or arteries and can reach your brain, heart, and lungs. While very small air bubbles sometimes break up in your bloodstream and do not cause serious problems, large embolisms frequently cause strokes, heart attacks, and/or respiratory failure. These conditions can sometimes even lead to death.
So far, Nurse Davis faces first-degree murder charges for the death of one patient. He might face other criminal charges as the investigation develops and we gain a better understanding of his actions and the number of victims involved.
“…Nurse Davis intentionally injected air into seven patients’ IV lines, murdering at least one patient.”
The Arrest Affidavit Mentions Seven Victims, But There Might Be More
Below is a timeline of events leading up to the arrest of Nurse Davis:
- June 22, 2017: Mr. Perry Frank, a beloved high school band director, dies while recovering from a bypass surgery. Mr. Frank’s name is not included in the arrest affidavit, but his family has confirmed his identity.
- July 14, 2017: An unnamed male patient is seriously injured after suffering an air embolism.
- August 4, 2017: Christopher Greenaway, an honored veteran and medical transport pilot, unexpectedly dies after a routine surgery. Diagnostic testing shows air in his cranial cavity consistent with an air embolism.
- August 7, 2017: An unnamed male patient suffers a serious air embolism while recovering.
- October 26, 2017: Another unnamed male patient is seriously injured by an unexpected air embolism.
- November 30, 2017: Nurse Davis enters Ms. Pamela Henderson’s hospital room. Shortly after that, she suffers a stroke due to an air embolism. While Ms. Henderson survived the incident, she remains in a vegetative state and cannot care for herself.
- January 25, 2018: While recovering from a successful bypass surgery, Mr. Joseph Kalina suffers serious injuries due to an air embolism. Video surveillance shows Nurse Davis entering Mr. Kalina’s hospital room near the time he suffered the embolism. He remains in a vegetative state and is now a quadriplegic who requires 24-hour care.
According to the arrest affidavit, CHRISTUS contacted Tyler law enforcement authorities in February 2018, voicing concern about Nurse Davis. By this time, at least seven innocent people had suffered life-changing or fatal air embolisms. And there is a chance that even more people were harmed.
For example, Nurse Davis was not authorized to care for one of our clients. Nonetheless, surveillance video shows Nurse Davis entering our client’s hospital room. Shortly thereafter, our client quickly deteriorated and suffered a stroke. Soon after, the hospital terminated Nurse Davis’ employment due to “falsification of care events and his unethical practice related to failure to disclose interventions provided.”
RELATED PRESS RELEASE: Crosley Law Firm Represents Victim Against Hospital That Employed Alleged Murderer
At Crosley Law, we are calling for a review of all patients’ records who suddenly suffered a stroke, cardiac arrest, or other embolism-related event while recovering at CHRISTUS hospitals. We believe there is a possibility that others may have suffered serious injuries at the hands of Nurse Davis.
Victims May Have Civil Claims Against Mr. Davis and the Hospital
A criminal case is different from a civil lawsuit. Prosecutors filed criminal charges against Nurse Davis on behalf of the State of Texas and his victims. If convicted, Nurse Davis could face a lengthy jail sentence and other criminal penalties.
Additionally, victims’ families should immediately consult with an experienced wrongful death or personal injury lawyer, like the ones at Crosley Law. Rather than seeking jail time for criminal acts, a civil claim demands compensation for victims’ losses. In the Nurse Davis cases, these damages might include:
- Lost income
- Medical expenses related to the victims’ injuries or death (including the cost of 24-hour nursing care)
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Compensation for the victims’ pain and suffering
- Claims by spouses for damage to their marital relationship (loss of consortium)
- Punitive damages (damages that seek to punish someone for intentional or highly reckless behavior)
An experienced personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can help each victim calculate the full extent of their damages, depending on their unique circumstances.
RELATED ARTICLE: 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU HIRE AN INJURY ATTORNEY
If a hospital employs someone like Nurse Davis and lets him interact with patients, it may face additional civil claims involving vicarious liability, negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and other causes of action.
Evidence suggests that the hospital should have known Nurse Davis was a risk. Over seven months, there were seven documented incidents of air entering a patient’s IV while Nurse Davis was present. Victims’ families have every right to know why Nurse Davis was allowed ongoing access to patients. They also deserve compensation for their significant economic and emotional losses.
There’s Still a Lot to Learn About Mr. Davis and the Hospital’s Conduct
At Crosley Law, we’re carefully investigating the Nurse Davis cases for our clients. We’re respectful of the ongoing criminal investigation and will work closely with prosecutors. We also know that victims and their families deserve guidance and accurate information that may affect their medical and legal decisions moving forward.
Do You Have Information About the Nurse Davis Murder Cases? Contact Crosley Law
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from an air embolism at CHRISTUS, or you have information relating to the Nurse Davis murder cases, contact Crosley Law immediately. Our wrongful death and personal injury lawyers have extensive experience with complicated claims and are prepared to take on additional clients right away. Contact us online or call 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000 to schedule a free consultation today.
References
Constantine, S. (2018, April 11). Emotional interview reveals victim allegedly killed by nurse as former Grapeland band director. Central Texas News Now 25. Retrieved from http://www.kxxv.com/story/37937080/family-member-identifies-victim-allegedly-killed-by-east-texas-nurse-as-perry-frank.
Redacted Davis arrest warrant and affidavit (2018, April 10). Tyler Morning Telegraph. Retrieved from https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/tylerpaper.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/9f/99f72fb6-3dd4-11e8-869d-0be3804beeb4/5ace874f70e83.pdf.pdf.
Texas Board of Nursing (2018, March 16). Order of Temporary Suspension. Tyler Morning Telegraph. Retrieved from https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/tylerpaper.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/42/7429ee66-3d45-11e8-adc1-c7a21dadcd3d/5acd96f256af8.pdf.pdf.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
