California Hospital Faces Lawsuit After Allegedly Misreporting Patient’s Death
A Northern California hospital is at the center of a civil lawsuit after allegedly falsely claiming that a patient had checked out, when in reality, the patient had passed away and her body had been kept in cold storage for a year. The 31-year-old woman, Jessie Marie Peterson, was admitted to Mercy San Juan Medical Center on April 6 last year due to complications related to Type 1 diabetes. However, her family was informed by hospital officials that she had been discharged, leading to a frantic search for her whereabouts.
Days after Peterson was admitted, her mother, Ginger Congi, called the hospital to inquire about her daughter’s condition, only to be told that she had been discharged. Concerned about Peterson’s well-being, the family filed a missing person’s report with the county sheriff’s department and took other measures to locate her. It wasn’t until April 12, 2024, that the Sacramento County Detective’s Office notified the family that Peterson had actually been found deceased at Mercy San Juan hospital.
Delayed Notification and Decomposition
Tragically, by the time Peterson’s family learned of her death, her body had already begun to decompose to the point where an open casket funeral was no longer an option. The decomposition also hindered the possibility of conducting an autopsy to determine whether medical malpractice had played a role in Peterson’s untimely demise. It took until April 4 of the following year for a death certificate to be signed by Dr. Nadeem Mukhtar, confirming Peterson’s passing.
According to hospital records obtained by the family, Peterson’s body had been stored in an off-site cold storage unit, specifically on shelf No. Red 22A, for nearly a year. The family’s attorney, Marc Greenberg, stated that the hospital’s negligence in failing to notify the family of Peterson’s death and the subsequent storage of her body in such conditions were inexcusable. The family is seeking $25 million in damages for the harm caused by the hospital’s actions.
Allegations of Negligence and Lack of Respect
In response to the lawsuit, a representative for Dignity Health, the parent company of Mercy San Juan hospital, was unable to provide immediate comment. However, Greenberg emphasized the discrepancy between the hospital’s advertised values of treating all individuals with dignity and respect and the reality of how Peterson was handled after her passing.
According to Greenberg, Mercy San Juan failed in its duty to inform Peterson’s family of her death promptly, leading to a prolonged period of uncertainty and distress for her loved ones. The decision to store Peterson’s body in a remote facility without proper care or attention showed a lack of respect for the deceased and her family. The attorney further criticized the hospital for the insensitive treatment of Peterson’s remains, which further exacerbated the family’s grief and frustration.
As the legal proceedings unfold, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding Peterson’s death and the potential role of medical malpractice in the tragedy. The family’s quest for justice and accountability has shed light on the importance of transparency and communication in healthcare institutions, especially during times of crisis and loss.
Overall, the lawsuit against Mercy San Juan hospital serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of negligence and misinformation in the medical field. Peterson’s story highlights the need for improved protocols and procedures to ensure that patients and their families are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, even in the most challenging circumstances.
