Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev, of King County, are seeking $10 million in non-economic damages from Salem Health, related hospital entities and emergency physician Stefani Sorensen in a lawsuit alleging failures in the handling and release of their infant son Michael’s remains after his death at Salem Health’s emergency department. D’Amore Law Group filed the complaint in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Friday, Sept. 18, according to KATU.
The complaint alleges hospital personnel did not provide a workable way to arrange transportation to Seattle. The parents say they asked about using a funeral home in keeping with their religious practices but were told that option would cost too much. They also allege the hospital did not offer to keep Michael in its morgue while arrangements were made or provide documents they believed were needed to move his remains across state lines, according to KPTV.
The suit says staff first told the parents to remain apart from Michael while waiting for a medical examiner, then said an examiner would not come. It alleges the family received only a handwritten note from Dr. Sorensen confirming the death and was advised to use the family vehicle. The parents also allege they received conflicting guidance about whether to use a car seat or place Michael on the rear seat under a blanket. These claims have not been established in court.
Michael, who had Down syndrome and other serious health conditions, was taken to the emergency department after his breathing became rapid during a family trip to a Christian retreat in Salem. The complaint says medical staff attempted lifesaving treatment before he died at 2:44 a.m. on Sept. 22, 2024. The parents allege they then drove about four hours to Seattle with Michael in the vehicle while relatives followed separately. They say they contacted Seattle funeral homes during the trip and later cleaned bodily fluids from the car. Yahoo News described the same allegations.
What public guidance says
According to an Oregon Legislative Assembly Senate Judiciary staff measure summary, transportation of human remains falls under the definition of funeral services in Oregon. The summary also says the measure itself had not been officially endorsed by committee action; it does not, by itself, resolve which documents are required in a particular case or when a medical examiner or funeral establishment must be involved. Salem Health’s public guidance says next of kin seeking a deceased patient’s medical records must provide legal documentation. The health system also says its patient liaisons support patients and families and connect them with people who can answer questions about their care.
The suit accuses Salem Health, Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics, Salem Emergency Physicians Service and Sorensen of failing to follow requirements concerning documentation, support for the family and care of the body. The parents claim those failures caused extreme emotional distress and psychological injuries. Salem Hospital received a request for comment but had not provided an immediate response, according to KATU. The court will decide whether the allegations support an award of damages.
