Aleksandr Yeremeyev and Nataliya Yeremeyev are suing an Oregon hospital and a physician after alleging they were pressured to drive their deceased infant son from Salem to Seattle in a private car. Their nearly 9-month-old child, Michael, died in a Salem emergency room on September 22, 2024, while the family was visiting Oregon. The lawsuit seeks $10 million in non-economic damages for alleged emotional distress and psychological trauma. Salem Health said it cannot discuss the details because the matter is in litigation, but stated that staff followed hospital policy, Oregon law and the family’s wishes.
| 1) | The family’s lawsuit follows a child’s death in Salem |
| 2) | Parents say hospital staff rejected funeral-home assistance |
| 3) | The father drove the remains about four hours to Seattle |
| 4) | The complaint alleges negligence and mishandling of the remains |
| 5) | Salem Health cites privacy, policy and state law |
The family’s lawsuit follows a child’s death in Salem
The plaintiffs are Aleksandr Yeremeyev and Nataliya Yeremeyev, a Seattle couple who had traveled to Salem, Oregon, for a religious retreat. Their complaint says their son Michael developed rapid, shallow breathing late at night on September 22, 2024. The family took him to the Salem Health emergency department, where he died.
Michael was nearly 9 months old, had Down syndrome and had spent the first six months of his life at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The lawsuit alleges that his parents sought respectful care and help arranging transportation of his body to Seattle. Their attorney, Anna Bruckenhoefer, said the parents were making immediate decisions during an overnight emergency and felt they lacked adequate guidance.
Parents say hospital staff rejected funeral-home assistance
The complaint alleges that the parents asked how to arrange dignified transportation home. Hospital staff allegedly discouraged contacting a local funeral home, saying that option would be too expensive, and instead pressured the family to transport the body themselves.
The parents ultimately agreed to use their own vehicle because, according to the lawsuit, they felt they had no other option. Bruckenhoefer said they repeatedly sought information about the next steps but felt rushed and unsupported. She argued that an emergency department should have procedures to assist bereaved families with custody and transportation of a deceased child.
The father drove the remains about four hours to Seattle
After leaving Salem, Aleksandr Yeremeyev drove approximately four hours to Seattle with Michael’s body placed across the back seat. Nataliya Yeremeyev and the couple’s other children traveled in a separate vehicle.
The lawsuit says the father experienced severe emotional distress during the journey. It alleges that he feared being stopped by police, being involved in a crash and seeing visible deterioration of his son’s body. At a Seattle funeral home, he allegedly had to clean bodily fluids that had leaked onto the vehicle’s seat.
The family’s attorney acknowledged that Oregon and Washington law allow a deceased person to be transported with the proper permits. She said the parents were seeking professional assistance rather than choosing to handle the transport themselves.
The complaint alleges negligence and mishandling of the remains
The lawsuit names Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics, Salem Health, Salem Emergency Physicians Service and Dr. Stefani Sorensen as defendants. It alleges direct negligence, vicarious liability and a breach of an enhanced duty of care allegedly owed to bereaved parents concerning the respectful treatment and custody of a child’s body.
The Yeremeyevs are seeking $10 million in non-economic damages for alleged emotional distress and psychological trauma. The complaint may later be amended to seek punitive damages. The allegations have not been resolved in court, and the lawsuit does not establish liability.
Salem Health cites privacy, policy and state law
Salem Health declined to discuss the specific care provided to Michael, citing the family’s privacy and pending litigation. In a statement, the hospital said it acted in accordance with the family’s wishes and followed hospital policy and Oregon state law while consulting appropriate local authorities, including the medical examiner.
The hospital also said it recognizes the profound grief associated with losing a loved one and treats patients and families with empathy, dignity and respect. The case will determine whether the hospital and the other defendants met their legal obligations under the circumstances described in the complaint.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Michael died in a Salem emergency department on September 22, 2024. |
| 2 | His parents allege they were pressured to drive his body to Seattle. |
| 3 | The lawsuit seeks $10 million in non-economic damages. |
| 4 | Salem Health says it followed hospital policy, state law and the family’s wishes. |
Summary
The lawsuit centers on how Michael’s remains were handled after his unexpected death in Salem. His parents say hospital staff failed to provide the guidance and professional transportation assistance they requested, leaving them to drive him home themselves. Salem Health says it acted according to applicable policy and law. The court will assess the competing claims and determine whether any defendant is legally responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who filed the lawsuit?
Aleksandr Yeremeyev and Nataliya Yeremeyev, a Seattle couple, filed the lawsuit against Salem Health entities and Dr. Stefani Sorensen.
What is the lawsuit seeking?
The complaint seeks $10 million in non-economic damages for alleged emotional distress and psychological trauma. The family plans to amend the complaint to include punitive damages, according to the lawsuit.
What does Salem Health say?
Salem Health says it cannot discuss the details because of privacy concerns and ongoing litigation. It states that staff followed the family’s wishes, hospital policy and Oregon state law in consultation with local authorities.
When did the child’s death occur?
Michael died in the Salem emergency department on September 22, 2024, after developing rapid, shallow breathing while his family was visiting Oregon.
