17-03-2025
Christ Hospital settles suit following death of man days after discharge
More than a year after a woman filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Christ Hospital over her late husband's death, parties have reached a settlement of an undisclosed amount.
The 55-year-old father of four Michael Thompson died in June 2020 due to a bacterial infection in his heart. Prior to his death, he'd asked doctors for help four times for his shortness of breath, persistent fever and joint pain, court documents show. Two of the doctors worked for Christ Hospital, while one worked for Teladoc, a virtual health care company.
The suit was filed by Thompson's widow, Tyna Thompson, whose lawyers asked for a settlement of $5 million, according to a transcript of Monday court proceedings. The hospital's lawyers made an offer of $90,000.
Lawyers for both parties declined to share the final amount negotiated, citing the settlement's confidentiality clause.
Dr. Jennifer McLellan, the Christ Hospital doctor who discharged Thompson prior to his death, was dropped from the suit, according to the court transcript.
The lawsuit claimed that McLellan failed to properly diagnose and treat Thompson's endocarditis, the heart infection that ultimately caused his death.
Thompson, who had a history of heart disease and had had part of his heart replaced the year prior, had experienced shortness of breath and a fever for 10 days by the time his daughter drove him to Christ Hospital's urgent care center on Red Bank Road.
It was there that he was seen by McLellan, who conducted a physical exam and ordered an X-ray and a blood test before discharging Thompson without antibiotics.
Five days later, Thompson died of septic shock and respiratory failure caused by the heart infection.
The legal team for Christ Hospital claimed that McLellan was not subject to disciplinary action or liable for damages due to Ohio House Bill 606, which granted services provided by health care workers immunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thompson did not have COVID-19 and tested negative for the disease three times prior to his death.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Christ Hospital settles wrongful death suit
