Seattle couple accuse Oregon hospital of making them drive dead baby home: lawsuit

Key Points:

• A Seattle couple, Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev, filed a $10 million lawsuit against Salem Health and Dr. Stefani Sorensen after hospital staff in Oregon allegedly forced them to transport their nearly 9-month-old son's body four hours home in their private car following his death in the emergency room.
• The lawsuit claims the hospital staff refused to assist with respectful transportation or recommend a local funeral home, citing cost concerns, and pressured the family to take their son’s body with them, causing severe emotional distress.
• Michael, the couple’s son, who had Down syndrome, died at Salem Health Hospital after being rushed there during a visit to Oregon; the family alleges the hospital lacked proper protocols to support them during their time of grief.
• Salem Health stated it followed hospital policy and Oregon law in consultation with local authorities and emphasized its commitment to treating patients and families with empathy and respect, declining further comment due to ongoing litigation.
• The lawsuit accuses the hospital and staff of negligence and breach of duty of care, seeking damages for emotional trauma and plans to add punitive damages as the case proceeds.