San Antonio is witnessing a tragic case unfold as a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the grocery chain H-E-B for their alleged role in a local man's death. Craig Allen has initiated legal action after his father, 79-year-old Jerrold P. Allen, a retired Air Force major general, died following a heart attack. The suit, according to a report by San Antonio Express-News, contends that the heart attack occurred because a prescription for a blood thinner, crucial for the elder Allen's health, was not filled in person as expected.
The incident that led to this lawsuit reportedly started on Dec. 7, 2023, when Jerrold Allen visited the H-E-B pharmacy on Potranco Road to pick up a prescription for the medication Brilinta. The pharmacy staff, however, informed him they could not dispense the medication and advised him to wait for it to be delivered by mail. Just four days after this interaction, Allen suffered a heart attack and died two days subsequently. An article by KENS 5 detailed these events that have been characterized as "medical negligence" by the filing party.
Allen's family, represented by Houston-based Sorrels Law, is seeking compensation between $250,000 and $1 million for a range of damages. The loss they've suffered extends beyond measurable costs; they're grappling with emotional devastation as well. “Mr. Allen’s death was 100% preventable,” said Randall Sorrels, their attorney, in an email highlighted by San Antonio Express-News. The family hopes that measures will be taken so "no one else ever has to experience the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one like they have had to endure."
When approached for a statement, H-E-B maintained a measured stance due to the ongoing litigation. "H-E-B Pharmacy followed applicable standard of care," a company spokesperson noted, as mentioned in coverage by both KENS 5 and the San Antonio Express-News. Jerrold Allen, the decedent, was a distinguished veteran with a long service record, including 250 combat missions and tenure at the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets post-retirement. His career was as much a testament to his dedication as to the sense of loss felt by his community and family.
