UIHC settles with family of 16-year-old for $1.2M after 2020 death

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has reached a $1.2 million settlement with the family of a 16-year-old who died in 2020.

Emma Nugent was a City High student who "was evaluated over a period of time in 2020 through the UIHC Influenza-Like Illness COVID-19 program," according to a report delivered to the State Appeal Board of Iowa.

On July 6, 2020, Nugent "became unresponsive and died despite extensive resuscitation efforts."

Death caused by "pulmonary embolism"

Doctors determined that Nugent died from a pulmonary embolism.

Nugent's parents later filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the University of Iowa.

The lawsuit alleged that "personnel failed to meet the standard of care" by not ordering more extensive diagnostic testing that they believe would have led to an early diagnosis and treatment of the embolism.

There was "expert support" that hospital staff "acted within the standard of care," with recognition that additional testing "may have been helpful in an early diagnosis."

The state opted to settle the case with the family instead of taking it to trial. If the case went in front of a jury, the verdict "had the potential to be financially substantial," the civil attorney for the university wrote in his report.

The judge in the Johnson County District Court, where the suit was filed, accepted the settlement in late July.

The Cedar Rapids-based attorney for the Nugent family, David Wenzel, declined to comment.

The $1.2 million settlement will cover the family's attorneys' fees, not to exceed 40%. The family will directly receive at least $720,000 as part of the final agreement.

The Iowa Appeals Board approved the settlement during its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: UIHC, family of late City High student reach $1.2 million settlement