$1M Lawsuit Filed in Oregon over Patient Found Dead in Basement

The family of a 67-year-old woman who allegedly died after she wandered out of her hospital room and into the basement of Providence Portland Medical Center in Oregon has filed a $1.075 million lawsuit.

A lawsuit claims hospital staff should have kept better track of Marilyn Williams.

The lawsuit says she was suffering from heart problems, was confused and repeatedly said she wanted to leave the hospital against medical advice.

The family’s attorney Jason Kafoury says sometime between about 2 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. on April 12, 2017, Williams died alone of cardiac arrest and without medical assistance in the depths of the building.

Williams has four surviving adult children, Kafoury said. She lived in Vancouver, Washington.

Providence spokesman Gary Walker declined comment on the lawsuit “out of respect for the legal process,” but said they’re deeply sorry for the family’s loss.

The lawsuit seeks $200,000 for Williams’ suffering before her death, and $875,000 for her family’s loss of society and companionship.