Family of Man Who Died During Sleep Test at Atlanta Clinic Awarded $20.5M

The family of a 25-year-old man who died during a sleep study at an Atlanta medical center has been awarded $20.5 million.

Representing the family of Brandon M. Harris, attorney Shean Williams told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that a DeKalb County State Court jury on Friday awarded about $10 million to Harris’ estate for pain and suffering and $10.5 million for the full value of his life.

Harris, a medical assistant, entered the Emory Healthcare sleep center on Jan. 22, 2010, and was dead by the following morning. Harris’s family said Harris was neglected despite attempting to get the attention of a staff member. Emory said Harris died of sudden cardiac arrest and the hospital attended to him appropriately.

Emory declined to comment on the verdict.