ORANGE, Calif. (CN) - A woman died on the operating table because Kaiser staff did not timely treat her medical issues, the woman’s son claims in a Superior Court Complaint.

Tanya Thompson began having trouble with her bowels in August 2013, and continued having abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting and pain through October. During that time, despite a partial small bowel obstruction, a distended abdomen and “hyperactive” bowel sounds, several doctors, including a gastroenterologist, failed to take proactive steps to treat her problem, according to a complaint filed by her son, Bjuan Johnson.

Thompson lived on in pain and discomfort for several months, and ended up in a Kaiser emergency room on Oct. 20.

“Ms. Thompson presented with abdominal pain, leg numbness and worsening abdominal distension,” the complaint states. “The emergency department’s physician’s note at 9:55 a.m. recorded a suspected small bowel obstruction and distended loops of bowl. General surgery was consulted and Ms. Thompson was prepped for surgery. Examination prior to surgery revealed a perforated viscus and abdominal XR and bandemia.”

Johnson said his mother underwent surgery for a diagnostic laparoscopy, possible laparotomy, possible bowel resection and possible ostomy, but that she died on the operating table.

The decedent lost her life as a result of defendants' negligence, according to the complaint. “This incident occurred because of defendants’ failures to properly diagnose, treat, communicate about, and monitor decedent’s medical condition."

Johnson sued Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals; Southern California Permanente Medical Group and several doctors, including Theodore Thein Nguyen, Trang Thi Tran, Hector Arroyo, James Truong, Michael Hua-Jie Li, Henry Honchun Fang, William Wang and Sung Hi Pak.

He seeks economic and non-economic damages, and costs for his mother’s wrongful death.

Johnson is represented by Marcus Bradley and William Baird of Marlin & Saltzman, in Agoura Hills, Calif.