Jessie Peterson’s Family Sues California Hospital over Hidden-Death Case

In a shocking revelation, the family of California resident Jessie Marie Peterson is suing Mercy San Juan Medical Center after discovering their relative was dead and decomposing in the hospital’s off-site warehouse morgue for an entire year without their knowledge. The 31-year-old woman died from cardiopulmonary arrest on April 8, 2023, but her family was not informed of her demise until April 12, 2024.

A Desperate Family Search for a Year

Peterson checked into Mercy San Juan on April 6, 2023, after suffering a diabetic episode. The hospital falsely claimed that she discharged herself against medical advice on April 8, creating a false impression of her whereabouts and initiating a desperate year-long search by her loved-c ones. They filed a missing person’s report with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and made countless efforts to locate Peterson.

Her mother, Ginger Congi, expressed to the media her heartbreaking thoughts that her daughter might be decomposing somewhere, unknown and unreachable. Little did she know that her worst fears would come true.

Jessie Peterson’s Hidden Death and Negligent Hospital

According to the lawsuit filed on August 7 in Sacramento Superior Court, Peterson died at the hospital and her body was transferred to a storage facility less than 24 hours after her death. The complaint further alleges that the hospital completed Peterson’s death certificate nearly a year after her death. The Sacramento County Detective’s Office finally informed the family about Jessie Peterson’s whereabouts and condition on April 12, 2024.

The lawsuit also highlights an alarming pattern at the hospital. Other people reached out to the family’s attorney, Marc Greenberg, revealing similarly grim experiences at facilities under Dignity Health, the parent company of Mercy San Juan Medical Center.

Who Was Jessie Marie Peterson?

Jessie Peterson was not just another patient or a statistic. She was a vibrant young woman who loved her family. She was a member of the water polo and dance teams at Roseville High School and later attended Sierra College in Rocklin, California. Proving her commitment to justice, Jessie also served as a prosecuting attorney for the Placer County Peer Court.

Diagnosed with Type I diabetes at a young age, Jessie had faced her share of health struggles – but her life was so much more than her medical history. Despite her health issues, Jessie was energetic and loving, making her sudden demise a painful loss for those who loved and knew her.

Seeking Justice and Closure

Lasting grief and anger spurred Jessie Peterson’s family to sue Mercy San Juan Medical Center, seeking $5 million in damages and punitive damages five times the jury’s award of actual damages. The family believes the hospital needs to be held accountable for its gross negligence, failure to communicate, and complete disregard for their loved one’s dignity and wellbeing. The lawsuit also indicates that the medical center has not yet apologized to Jessie’s family members.

The case of Jessie Peterson is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of empathy, transparency, and accountability in the healthcare sector. As the lawsuit unfolds and reveals more details, perhaps it will also serve as a catalyst for change in hospital protocol and patient treatment in the future.