Lawsuit blames Tripler for death

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer

A former Kane'ohe Marine has sued the federal government alleging that complications of an epidural anesthetic administered to his wife during childbirth at Tripler Army Medical Center led to her death and caused brain damage to his son.

The lawsuit filed in federal court here Monday does not specify the amount of damages sought, but the suit said Vincent Adams and the guardian of the child last year filed claims seeking $70 million.

William Copulos, lawyer for the family, said federal law requires that the claims be filed and the government be given six months to investigate and review the case before the suit can be filed.

No final action was taken on the claim, the suit said.

Copulos said the $70 million is the maximum that can be sought through the lawsuit. He said he can't estimate at this time the amount the family will be seeking, but that the actual amount would be determined at trial.

Tripler spokeswoman Margaret Tippy said she can't comment about ongoing litigation. But she said "we take the care and safety of all our patients seriously."

Adams is now a Marine corporal living in Raleigh, N.C.

Adams' wife Jennifer, 20, was admitted to Tripler on Dec. 14, 2002, to give birth to her first child. She suffered "acute respiratory arrest" when she received the epidural anesthetic and the baby was delivered by Caesarean section to save his life, the suit said.

The suit said the dosage was not appropriate, the needle was not properly placed and hospital staff did not react properly. Copulos said the anesthetic stopped the mother's heart and she suffered severe brain damage.

The mother was transferred to the intensive care unit, where she remained for 3ý months unable to speak before she was accepted at a brain injury rehabilitation facility in Florida, the suit said.

She left on April 2, 2004. But instead of being flown directly to Florida, she was flown to northern and southern California, Arizona and Texas before arriving at the facility 12 days later, the suit said.

She died three days after arriving at the Florida facility from bronchopneumonia due to complications from her epidural, the suit said.

The suit said the son, Diego T.C. Adams, suffered brain damage that resulted in cerebral palsy.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at 525-8030 or kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.