Aleksander and Nataliya Yeremeyev have filed a lawsuit against Salem Health for negligence and significant emotional distress. The Yeremeyevs claim the hospital failed to provide informed care, custody and transportation of their sons’ deceased remains to Seattle.
The Yeremeyevs brought their son, Michael Yeremeyev, to Salem Hospital’s emergency department to treat his shallow breathing. This was at approximately 12:06 a.m. He later died at approximately 2:44 a.m. Michael was born with down syndrome and other health conditions. According to court records, he spent the first six months of his life in a hospital.
After Michael passed, health officials ordered his parents to stay away from his remains until a medical examiner arrived. After some time, they were informed a medical examiner would not be coming.
Transportation Complications
The Yeremeyevs questioned Salem Health about transportation for their son, requesting that a funeral home transport him. The Salem Health employees claimed that it would be too expensive for the transport, and advised them to use one of the hospital’s private vehicles. Later, Salem Health would advise the Yeremeyevs to place their son’s remains in his car seat. When the Yeremeyevs raised concerns about his body beckoning stiff from the long drive, they instead said to lay him flat in the back of their trunk. Salem Health wrote a note on a prescription pad in case the Yeremeyevs were pulled over by authorities to explain the situation. Salem Health failed to offer the Yeremeyevs time to consult each other, and did not offer to hold Michael in their morgue.
Nataliya Yeremeyev claims that she was forced to carry her son after he passed through the lobby of Salem Hospital’s emergency department. On the drive to Seattle, the couple called Seattle funeral homes to make their final arrangements. Later, Aleksander Yeremyev had to clean Michael’s bodily fluids that had seeped into their vehicle.
The Yeremeyevs are seeking 10 million dollars in damages.
