The tragedy of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper's death in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at the Oxford Center in Troy has raised profound questions and a demand for answers from his bereaved family. As they cope with unimaginable loss, the Coopers have engaged Fieger Law to represent them and are on the verge of filing a lawsuit. The boy's fatal treatment session on Jan. 31 was supposed to be one of many to address his ADHD and sleep apnea, conditions not FDA-approved for hyperbaric treatment, yet the center advertised it treated dozens of such conditions, ClickOnDetroit reports.
According to James Harrington, managing partner at Fieger Law, the family has sent out letters to preserve evidence and ensure the conditions of the chamber and wider facility are frozen in time for expert investigation. Despite this tragic loss, the Brighton location of the Oxford Center continues to operate, with justified concerns about oversight and the operation of these facilities, Local 4 has learned. The Detroit Free Press also exposed the gaps in regulatory oversight of such centers in Michigan, with neither the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs nor the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services overseeing hyperbaric chambers, their operators nor the safety protocols involved in their operation.
Thomas' last moments were marked by terror as the hyperbaric chamber, filled with pure oxygen, caught fire and engulfed him in flames, leaving his mother with third-degree burns and an unimaginable psychological toll from witnessing her son's horrific death, all despite paying over $8,000 in cash for the treatments intended to improve his health. The Oxford Center did not respond to inquiries from the Detroit Free Press concerning the incident and its oversight.
Fieger Law is committed to a thorough examination of the circumstances leading to Thomas' tragic demise, and his family, reeling from this unspeakable tragedy, has set up a GoFundMe to manage the unforeseen financial burdens that have arisen. The community support has been strong, with Harrington emphasizing the significance of prayer and moral support for the family during this difficult time, as they seek to understand and ensure such a calamity does not recur, according to a statement obtained by WXYZ. Not only an exploration of legal responsibility but also a clarion call for regulatory reform is emerging from this case, as hyperbaric therapy's unique dangers are thrust into a public forum demanding safety assurance and preventative measures.
