The family of Lynne Spalding, the patient who was found dead in a stairwell at San Francisco (Calif.) General Hospital in October 2013, has entered into a $2.9 million settlement with the City of San Francisco, according to The San Francisco Examiner.
Ms. Spalding was admitted to SFGH Sept. 19, 2013, for an infection. Seventeen days later, she was found dead in a rarely-used stairwell in the hospital.
In March, her family filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming Ms. Spalding's death was the result of "reckless neglect of her care, professional negligence by her healthcare providers; negligence; and the creation and maintenance of a dangerous condition of public property."
Ms. Spalding's twin brother Bill Spalding believes the settlement, which still must be approved by San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, is insufficient. "A massive settlement is deserved and a long time coming but, nonetheless, no amount of money will ever compensate for Lynne Spalding's grim and lonely end — let along legitimize a get-out-of-jail care for those so blatantly responsible," he wrote in an email to the Examiner.
A little more than a year has passed since Ms. Spalding's death, and in that time, SFGH has put new security protocols into place, according to the report.
More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits:
LifePoint hit with age discrimination suit filed by former hospital CFO
15 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements
Judge calls whistle-blower a 'bounty hunter,' dismisses FCA suit against pharmacy