Sepsis, Holiday Staffing Linked To Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against VA

The family of one veteran has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to timely diagnose and treat sepsis resulting in death.

Richard Williams checked himself into a VA hospital in Columbia, Missouri, on December 27, 2016. His symptoms were shortness of breath. Williams died two days later.

While Williams was in a state of respiratory distress, the clinicians responsible for his care ordered a necessary test as routine rather than urgent. A six-hour delay resulted that ended with Williams’ death.

Williams ultimately died from anoxia secondary to laryngeal edema and sepsis complicated by drug intoxication from Haldol and lorazepam. Erica Smith, Williams’ daughter, filed the lawsuit on December 27 on behalf of her father’s estate.