Jeju National University Hospital Infant Death Bereaved Family Files Compensation Lawsuit Against Hospital and State

Jeju National University Hospital official apologizing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The bereaved family has filed a lawsuit seeking damages against Jeju National University Hospital and the state in connection with the death of a 12-month-old infant who was being treated for COVID-19 at Jeju National University Hospital.

The bereaved family’s legal representative, the law firm Dasan, announced on the 4th that they filed a civil lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court against Jeju National University Hospital and the state, seeking damages amounting to 1 billion KRW for tort liability.

The bereaved family previously filed a criminal complaint against the medical staff at Jeju National University Hospital on charges including professional negligence resulting in death, abandonment resulting in death, violation of the Medical Service Act, and forgery and use of private documents. The police are currently conducting an investigation. The police have booked the medical staff and are continuing the investigation, including raiding the hospital.

The hospital stated through its own investigation that there was a medication error incident involving the infant, referred to as A. The attending physician prescribed 5 mg of epinephrine diluted and administered via a nebulizer for A, who was showing symptoms of respiratory distress, but a nurse administered it intravenously instead.

After the overdose, A’s condition worsened and was transferred to the intensive care unit but ultimately passed away.

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