From Law & Crime · · 1m 20s
21-year-old woman dies after hospital overdose of opioids
Woman suffocates at Waterbury Hospital after excessive opioid doses.
In brief
Woman suffocates at Waterbury Hospital after excessive opioid doses. 21-year-old woman died after Waterbury Hospital staff administered lethal opioid doses that caused her to suffocate. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Dale Martin's case
21-year-old woman entered Waterbury Hospital with broken ankle.
Hospital diagnosis
Staff diagnosed complex fracture requiring surgery the next morning.
Pain management
Martin reported pain level 10 out of 10 with morphine working for 5 minutes.
Opioid administration
Staff administered high doses of opioids through IV causing respiratory failure.
Suffocation
Martin suffocated while sedated and unable to call for help.
Resuscitation
Nurse checked on patient but it was too late for resuscitation.
Death
Martin died four days after admission with brain death declared.
Cause of death
Suffered anoxic encephalopathy from lack of oxygen.
Lawsuit filed
Martin's father filed lawsuit naming Waterbury Hospital and one doctor.
Alleged causes
Hospital failed due to improper supervision, inadequate staffing, and medication checks.
Hospital ownership
Prospect Medical Holdings owned hospital before UConn Health bought it.
Hospital response
UConn Health stated patient safety is top priority but avoided direct comment.
Lawsuit damages
Lawsuit seeks unspecified amount of damages for medical error.
Consequence
Family claims hospital staff caused death through opioid overdose.
The short version
21-year-old woman died after Waterbury Hospital staff administered lethal opioid doses that caused her to suffocate.
