WSMV (Channel 4 out of Nashville) just aired a report about the family of UT Martin student Jodi Woods suing Volunteer General Hospital claiming wrongful death of their daughter in 2006. The plaintiff alleges that the hospital staff refused emergency care, categorizing her as a "drama queen". The family is seeking $10 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Woods died after being airlifted to Jackson Medical Center. The cause of death was determined to be bacterial meningitis.
News of her death caused quite a bit of concern in Union City, Tenn., where I worked at the local newspaper at the time. Having been to the hospital as a visitor and to bring patients, it comes as no surprise that allegations of negligence by the nursing staff have surfaced.