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Parents of Deceased Toddler File Wrongful Death Suit Against Georgia Hospital
In a tragic turn of events, the parents of a 2-year-old girl who died due to an allergic reaction have initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the medical facility where they sought help.
Maya Getahun passed away in October 2024 while receiving treatment at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, as detailed in a legal complaint filed in Gwinnett County on April 4, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that Maya “died needlessly due to inadequate medical care.”
According to the parents, Bethelhem Getu Hundie and Getahun Birhanu, they sought emergency care for Maya after noting that she was having an allergic reaction to fire ant bites.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they claim that it took more than twenty minutes for the medical team to administer epinephrine, the essential medication needed for treating severe allergic reactions.
Furthermore, the lawsuit outlines that Dr. Richisa Salazar, the emergency physician, attempted to intubate Maya but discovered mid-procedure that the necessary pediatric equipment was unavailable. This lack of adequate resources is cited as a critical failure in Maya’s care.
The complaint reveals that the child’s parents “watched helplessly as their daughter slowly succumbed due to a lack of oxygen.”
In a related case, a 13-year-old girl also tragically died due to a severe allergic reaction after consuming a dessert that contained harmful ingredients.
A representative from Bell Law Firm, which represents Maya’s family, expressed the gravity of the situation in a statement: “What occurred with Maya symbolizes the ultimate dread every parent fears. There was a crucial opportunity to manage her allergic reaction, and the ER team failed to respond in time.”
The representative emphasized the moment of horror as Dr. Salazar attempted to intubate Maya while the medical staff scrambled to locate a suitable pediatric tube as the girl lost vital oxygen. “No family should ever have to witness such harrowing events,” they lamented.
This lawsuit represents the third complaint against Dr. Salazar, indicating a troubling pattern concerning what the complaints label as “preventable deaths linked to failed intubation attempts.”
The law firm concluded their statement on an empathetic note, asserting, “Maya deserved more, and every patient should receive the best possible care.”
The family is pursuing a jury trial, seeking damages exceeding $10,000 as outlined in their formal complaint.
As of now, neither Dr. Salazar nor Piedmont Healthcare, the parent company of Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, has provided comments regarding the allegations or the lawsuit.
For further details, you can read the original article on People.
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