Seattle couple sues Oregon hospital over handling of deceased child's transport

<p>A Seattle couple is suing Salem Health Hospital in Oregon after they were instructed to transport the body of their nearly 9-month-old son, Michael, four hours back to Seattle following his death in the emergency room. Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev filed a $10 million lawsuit against the hospital and Dr. Stefani Sorensen, alleging that staff insisted they bring their son's body home instead of arranging for respectful transportation.</p><p>Michael, who was born with Down syndrome, had spent the first six months of his life at Seattle Children's Hospital. The family was in Salem for a religious retreat when Michael developed rapid, shallow breathing and was taken to the emergency room, where he died on September 22, 2024.</p><p>According to the complaint, when the parents inquired about arrangements for transporting Michael's body, hospital staff discouraged contacting a local funeral home due to cost concerns and pressured them to take the body in their personal vehicle. The couple felt they had no other option and complied.</p><p>The family's attorney, Anna Bruckenhoefer, stated that the Yeremeyevs sought guidance from the hospital during this difficult time but were left feeling rushed and unsupported. Aleksandr drove approximately four hours from Salem to Seattle with his son's body in the backseat, while his wife and other children followed in a separate vehicle. The lawsuit claims he experienced severe emotional distress during the journey, fearing police stops and the visible deterioration of his child's body.</p><p>Upon arriving at a Seattle funeral home, Aleksandr had to clean bodily fluids that had leaked onto the seat during the trip. Bruckenhoefer emphasized that while it is legal to transport a deceased person with the proper permits, the family was looking for assistance and support from the hospital, which they felt was lacking.</p><p>The lawsuit names Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics, Salem Health, Salem Emergency Physicians Service, and Dr. Sorensen as defendants, alleging negligence and a breach of the duty of care owed to bereaved parents. The family is seeking $10 million in non-economic damages for emotional distress and plans to amend the complaint to include punitive damages.</p><p>In response, Salem Health Hospital stated that it cannot discuss the specifics of the case due to privacy and ongoing litigation. The hospital claimed it acted in accordance with the family's wishes and followed hospital policy and Oregon state law, emphasizing its commitment to treating patients and families with empathy and respect during difficult times.</p>