Despite several weeks of litigation, the jury will not make a determination in the case of Michael Woods vs. Kent County Hospital. Prior to closing arguments, the two sides have agreed to settle the matter.
Actor James Woods and his family brought the lawsuit against Kent County Hospital alleging that their emergency room staff was medically negligent and ultimately caused the death of Michael Woods in 2006.
The full details of the settlement were not released to the public, however, the Providence Journal reports that the settlement will include the creation of the Michael J. Woods institute at Kent Hospital. Per the settlement agreement, the hospital has promised to invest 1.25 million dollars over the next five years in the institute with the intent of improving hospital care and procedure, particularly in the emergency room. In addition, the settlement provides financial support to Michael Woods surviving children, which according to James Woods, will leave them financially secure.
Following the settlement, a spokesperson for Kent admitted that mistakes were made. Michael Woods entered the emergency room shortly after 4pm with acute onset vomiting. An EKG showed an abnormal heartbeat and he was ordered to be placed on a heart monitor by the treating physician. The nursing staff, however, never followed through with this instruction. Instead of being placed in a room, Michael Woods remained on a gurney parked in the hallway. James Woods stated that no one in his family knew where his brother was for over an hour and a half. At 7:10pm, Michael Woods suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.