A tragic incident unfolded at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, when a patient was mistakenly taken off life support due to a case of mistaken identity, as per a lawsuit. David Wells, who was admitted to the hospital after choking on a piece of steak in August 2021, was misidentified as his hospital roommate, Mike Beehler.
The hospital staff, believing they were contacting Wells’ family, reached out to Beehler’s sister, Debbie Danielson, to discuss the difficult decision of ending life support. Danielson, under the impression that her brother was the one in critical condition, made the heartbreaking decision to end life support.
The error was only discovered when Danielson received a call from her brother, who was very much alive, a week later. This revelation brought with it the harsh reality that they had inadvertently made a life-ending decision for a stranger. Danielson’s husband, Gary, expressed their shock and dismay at the situation.
Adding to the confusion, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center had reported Beehler’s death to the county medical examiner’s office, and a death notice was published in the local newspaper. Wells’ body was sent to a funeral home, which then contacted Beehler’s relatives about final arrangements.
The mix-up was reported to the police by Beehler and Danielson, and the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that it was Wells who had passed away. Wells’ son, Shawn, was informed of his father’s death and the circumstances surrounding it.
Shawn Wells expressed his disbelief and distress at the situation, stating that he was at a loss for words at how poorly the situation was handled. He lamented the fact that he would never be able to reclaim the decision that was wrongly made by strangers.
Shawn Wells, Beehler, and Danielson have filed a lawsuit against the hospital for negligence and causing severe emotional distress. They have also filed another lawsuit against American Medical Response ambulance service for misidentifying the patient, All County Cremation & Burial funeral home, and the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office for failing to disclose the error. The lawsuits seek an unspecified amount in damages.