A Family’s Tragic Ordeal: Lawsuit Filed Against Hospital Over Misplaced Body
A lawsuit in California claims negligence by a hospital after it failed to notify a family about a patient’s death and mismanaged her body. Here’s a detailed account of the harrowing events.
Emergency Admission
On April 6, 2023, Jessie Peterson, a 31-year-old woman, was admitted to a Sacramento hospital following a severe diabetic episode. Two days later, she made a call to her mother expressing a desire to be picked up from the hospital, but that communication would tragically turn out to be the last from her.
A Disturbing Discovery
When Jessica’s mother, Ginger Congi, called the hospital three days later, she was informed that there was no patient by that name. Despite her insistence, she was eventually told that Jessie had allegedly left the hospital against medical advice.
The Family’s Search
The distress of no contact led Peterson’s family to file a missing persons report. They mobilized their community, distributing flyers and advocating for media attention, reaching out to the US Department of Justice’s missing persons initiative.
Sobering News
After 362 agonizing days, a detective from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office delivered devastating news: a death certificate had been issued for Jessie. Following this, one of her sisters visited the coroner’s office only to find her remains were not there, being directed back to the hospital instead.
The Tragic Revelation
After contacting the hospital again, Julie learned that Jessie’s body had been located at an off-site cold storage facility owned by the hospital, decomposing and no longer eligible for autopsy. Tragically, it was determined she had passed away just two hours after that final phone call to her mother.
Lawsuit Claims Hospital Negligence
Peterson’s family has since filed a $25 million lawsuit against Dignity Health’s Mercy San Juan Medical Center. The lawsuit argues negligence in failing to inform the family of Jessie’s death, the mishandling of her remains, and causing severe emotional distress to her family.
Hospital’s Response
Dignity Health released a statement expressing condolences but refrained from commenting on ongoing litigation, stating, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time.”
Background on Jessie Peterson
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 10, Peterson faced numerous health challenges over the years, including hospitalization for complications related to her condition. As revealed by family attorney Marc Greenberg, she had struggled with addiction and homelessness.
Legal Impact of the Delay
The lawsuit underscores key points, including a failure to issue the death certificate within a legally required 15-hour period per California regulations, which impeded further investigative procedures. The decomposition of her body negated the possibility of an autopsy to ascertain whether there had been any medical malpractice linked to her passing.
Family’s Emotional Trauma
According to the lawsuit precise handling of her mother’s distressing experience, it states, “Because Jessie’s death was not reported to family for a year, an autopsy was rendered impossible.” With no closure or clarity on Jessie’s last moments, her family continues to seek justice and understanding as they grapple with her loss.
