The family of a woman who died after attempting to exit the UPMC Shadyside hospital parking garage has threatened legal action if the company does not provide more information about the incident.
Terry Philips was taking her husband to a routine hospital appointment back in April.
She got mixed up about where she was supposed to park. What happened was an incident and accident that eventually took her life, and now her family wants to know why it happened, and they’re willing to take the health-care giant to court to find out.
On April 17, Phillips attempted to exit the UPMC Shadyside garage by getting a parking ticket, but she had to open her door to do so.
Her foot was on the brake pedal in her car. It slipped and moved forward, crushing the 79-year-old and eventually killing her.
“The husband was right here; he tragically saw the whole thing at one point and wanted to try to lift the car off of his wife,” said Matthew Scanlon, the family’s attorney.
Phillips’ family wants to know why it took so long for anyone to help, despite the fact that the accident occurred outside the hospital’s front door.
“You have no medical care rendered for over 30 minutes, that’s what’s alarming and troubling,” Scanlon told the reporter.
The family has been trying to get answers from the hospital.
“(UPMC) don’t believe they are responsible for anything,” Scanlon informed the audience.
Scanlon told KDKA-TV that he’s requested documents and video evidence to shed light on what occurred.
Scanlon says he is ready to take UPMC to court soon.
“Thirty to 45 days is a reasonable time frame to file and move forward,” Scanlon told reporters.
KDKA-TV also contacted UPMC for comment on the pending lawsuit, and is awaiting a response.
Nicely said, thanks!