Maya Getahun, 2 years old, died in October after experiencing an allergic reaction. The suit claims the hospital and ER physician were negligent.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The parents of a 2-year-old have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Piedmont Healthcare and others, claiming their daughter died “needlessly because of sub-standard medical care” as she experienced an allergic reaction.
According to the complaint, little Maya Getahun died on Oct. 7, 2024. The suit stems from what happened during her visit to Piedmont Eastside Medical Center in Snellville last year. The suit, filed in Gwinnett County on Friday, also lists an ER physician as a defendant.
Getahun’s parents took her to the hospital after she was bitten by fire ants. The complaint states the 2-year-old was experiencing respiratory distress due to an allergic reaction, adding she needed immediate attention.
“While recognizing this was an allergic reaction, the medical staff waited over 20 minutes before administering epinephrine, causing Maya’s condition to worsen,” the complaint said.
The child was eventually given a dose epinephrine, a common treatment for allergic reactions. The ER physician also decided to intubate the child through rapid sequence intubation (RSI), according to the complaint.
Health experts say RSI helps secure the airway quickly to reduce the risk of aspiration.
However, the lawsuit alleges the doctor didn’t confirm if she had the correct tools to intubate a child. The complaint claims the RSI drugs paralyzed the 2-year-old and the doctor determined the hospital didn’t have the equipment needed. Getahun died.
“Maya’s parents looked on helplessly as their daughter slowly died from lack of oxygen,” the suit claims.
The suit claims the defendants were negligent. The Bell Law Firm, representing Getahun’s parents, said the same doctor has been named in two other medical malpractice cases filed by its firm.
The parents are asking for damages along with a jury trial.
“This case is about accountability,” attorney Lloyd Bell said about the complaint. “No family should ever experience the heartbreak of losing a child due to a hospital’s lack of preparation, especially for something as foreseeable as an allergic reaction. Our goal is to obtain full justice for Maya and help ensure that what happened to Maya never happens to another child.”
11Alive has reached out to Piedmont to see if it wants to comment on the litigation.
To view the full complaint, click here.