Brian McKeen: DMC loses $19M in wrongful death lawsuit

Roz Edward, Michigan Chronicle Managing Editor 10/14/16

Jury finds hospital’s neglect in admitting sick infant hastened death

An eight-person jury at Wayne County Circuit Court today returned a unanimous verdict of $19 million against Dr. Minh Cruz and DMC Children’s Hospital of Detroit for the wrongful death of Sabrie Nash, an infant who died of pneumonia six years ago.

Brian McKeen, managing partner of McKeen & Associates of Detroit brought the suit on behalf of Tenita Nash, the mother Sabrie Nash. The four-month old infant was a premature twin who was diagnosed with BPD, respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary hypertension and was hospitalized for two months after birth. She was on supplemental oxygen at home.

Nash brought her daughter to DMC for evaluation for respiratory congestion on November 7, 2010 and was sent home, and then to DMC emergency November 18, for respiratory distress. Sabrie was not admitted to the hospital. She died two days later.

“Sabrie was a sick child who needed to be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit so she could be worked up, monitored and treated. Instead she was discharged home,” said McKeen. “This was a clear violation of the standard of care. There is no pain as severe as the pain of a parent losing a child; particularly when the death is due to someone’s neglect.”

[http://michronicleonline.com/2016/10/14/dmc-loses-19m-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit/]