Union County Hospital Sued After Woman Dies Following Twins' Birth

ELIZABETH, NJ —A Union County man has filed a lawsuit against Trinitas Regional Medical Center after his wife died following the February birth of his twins.

In the wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Elizabeth hospital, Antonio Teixeira says his wife, Marlenes, suffered a "preventable" brain hemorrhage within hours of the birth of their twin sons.

According to information provided by Teixeira's lawyers, Fronzuto Law Group, his 35-year-old wife had a caesarean section on Feb. 2 to deliver twin boys Tony and Teo. The couple, who lived in Elizabeth, welcomed their sons to the world at about 6:30 p.m. that evening.

But soon after, something went wrong.

Shortly after the delivery, Marlenes had severely elevated blood pressure and a frontal headache. Her condition continued to worsen. At about 11 p.m., she lost all feeling on the left side of her body and became verbally unresponsive, according to Fronzuto Law Group.

Marlenes then began seizing and a CT scan showed that she had suffered various neurological injuries, according to the law firm. She was transferred to St. Barnabas Medical Center for further neurological treatment but she never regained consciousness, the lawsuit alleges.

Marlenes died on June 25.

In the lawsuit, Antonio is alleging that Trinitas "failed to recognize and treat Marlenes’ hypertensive condition," which led to her death.

Hypertension is common among women in their third trimester of pregnancy and without treatment can pose a risk of postpartum stroke.

Ernest Fronzuto of the Fronzuto Law Group, who is representing the Teixeira family, said the woman's postpartum care was "grossly mismanaged."

“The loss of a wife and mother at such a young age under any circumstance is tragic, but what makes Marlenes’ death so horrific is that it was so easily preventable with proper care and treatment,” he said. “It is deeply troubling that Marlenes gave birth to her twins, held them in her arms, and then only a few hours later she suffered a stroke and left in a comatose state because her postpartum care was so grossly mismanaged."

Doug Harris, a spokesman for Trinitas Regional Medical Center, declined to comment. "We are unable to comment on pending litigation," Harris told Patch.

Meanwhile, the family is mourning the loss of the woman who, in addition to being a mother, was an educator, classical pianist, community leader and teacher. She was a graduate of Kean University, received her master’s degree from Boston University, and served as a member of the board of trustees at Union County College.

She served as a vice principal in the Elizabeth Public Schools and was a teacher in various schools throughout Elizabeth.

The couple was married in 2014. Antonio is chief of staff for Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Assemblyman Jamel C. Holley

(Images via Fronzuto Law Group: Antonio and Marlenes Teixeira of Elizabeth)

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