# 21-year-old woman dies after hospital overdose of opioids

> Woman suffocates at Waterbury Hospital after excessive opioid doses.
- Title: 21-year-old woman dies after hospital overdose of opioids
- Summary: Woman suffocates at Waterbury Hospital after excessive opioid doses. 21-year-old woman died after Waterbury Hospital staff administered lethal opioid doses…
- Keywords: waterbury hospital, dale martin, opioid overdose, suffocation, connecticut, hospital staff, medical error, lawsuit, crime, news, 21-year-old, woman
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/lawsuit/21-year-old-woman-who-went-to-hospital-for-broken-ankle-died-after-staff-gave-her-so-much-opioid-medication-she-suffocated-lawsuit
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: waterbury hospital, dale martin, opioid overdose, suffocation, connecticut, hospital staff, medical error, lawsuit, crime, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

21-year-old woman died after Waterbury Hospital staff administered lethal opioid doses that caused her to suffocate.