A New York mother is suing a New York medical system for wrongful death after she lost her young son following a 17-hour emergency room visit. Micah McManus was only 3 years old when he contracted COVID-19 in 2022. Despite multiple trips to his pediatrician, Micah's health was deteriorating. His mom, Keri-Sue McManus, took him to the ER numerous times, and on his third trip, he died from a pulmonary embolism.
McManus believes Albany Med Health System mismanaged her son's health care treatment, ultimately leading to his death. Now, she's urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Giving Families Act to aid loved ones after a family member dies from wrongful death.
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McManus felt helpless.
She told WNYT she took Micah to see several doctors before he died, and his symptoms never improved. During those visits, she saw so many health care providers that she didn't feel any rapport with any of them.
"The day he died, I was there 17 hours. I saw several different people. They hadn't met me before. I wasn't in communication with someone that I felt was in our corner to treat and heal my son," she lamented.
The mother said the health care system failed her son.
With the help of an attorney, McManus filed a 116-page medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit against Albany Med Health Systems. She isn't just doing this for Micah; she wants to help as many families as she can.
"If I could create a sense of accountability where they could examine what they did wrong, I would like that to not happen to anybody else," she said.
McManus also wants the help of the governor.
She appealed to Hochul, asking her to sign the Grieving Families Act. This would expand who can file a wrongful death lawsuit and what they can sue for, including grief, anguish, and loss of love, according to WNYT. This is reportedly the third time the New York legislature has passed the bill, but it was vetoed the last two times.
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The hospital system would not comment on the suit.
Albany Med confirmed to WNYT that it was the area's only level pediatric trauma center, but it would not discuss pending litigation and instead offered a statement.
"While there are multiple factors to consider when looking at the duration of patient visits, we are doing everything we can — from every angle — to ensure everyone has access to the care they need when they need it," the statement read.
