The family of Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in Bexar County District Court against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and several medical providers, alleging that a denial of abortion services led to her death. Walker, who was 37 years old and 20 weeks pregnant, died in 2024 from complications related to preeclampsia, a severe high blood pressure condition. The lawsuit names Paxton, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and Texas Medical Board Executive Director Stephen Brint Carlton as defendants, citing medical mistreatment and discrimination.
The legal action follows the 2022 implementation of Texas' abortion ban, which went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. While the law contains an exception for pregnancies that threaten the life of the mother, the lawsuit claims the state’s legal environment created a "culture of fear" that prevented doctors from providing necessary care. Texas law mandates penalties of up to 99 years in prison and the loss of medical licenses for those convicted of providing unauthorized abortions. In 2025, the state enacted legislation intended to clarify medical emergency exceptions following reports of pregnancy-related deaths.
Medical records show Walker, who had a history of chronic health issues including Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, was hospitalized for much of October 2024 for seizures. Her family alleges they requested an abortion on October 12 and October 30, but medical staff reportedly focused on the health of the fetus and did not offer the procedure. On December 27, 2024, Walker was diagnosed with preeclampsia but was discharged that same night. An autopsy later determined she died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and preeclampsia. University Health stated it could not comment on specific litigation but maintains it complies with all applicable laws while providing timely care.
The lawsuit seeks to hold state officials and medical institutions accountable for the death, which the family's attorneys allege is a violation of the right to life. The family alleges that Texas' legal penalties caused doctors to prioritize legal risk over patient care. While medical standards for preeclampsia at 20 weeks often recommend terminating the pregnancy to save the mother, the family claims Walker was discharged despite medical records indicating a "high" risk of death.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s office, also named in the suit, stated it has not yet prosecuted any abortion cases but will review all filings for fairness. The lawsuit was filed just before a two-year statute of limitations was set to expire. The next steps involve the defendants filing responses in Bexar County District Court.