Lawsuit Filed by Bell Law Firm Against Piedmont Eastside Medical Center Over Child's Fatal Incident
Atlanta: Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Over Child's Untreated Allergic Reaction
In a tragic turn of events, the parents of two-year-old Maya Getahun, who died following an allergic reaction at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center in Snellville, Georgia, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by Bell Law Firm, claims negligence, citing inadequate treatment and lack of pediatric emergency equipment.
On October 7, 2024, Maya's parents rushed her to the medical center as she suffered severe respiratory distress after an allergic reaction to fire ant bites. Despite clear signs of distress, medical staff at the emergency department reportedly delayed administering life-saving epinephrine for over 20 minutes.
Upon attempting rapid sequence intubation (RSI)—a procedure designed for quick airway securing in emergency situations—the ER physician, Dr. Richisa Salazar, discovered a critical oversight: the hospital lacked the necessary pediatric equipment for Maya's size. This delay resulted in oxygen deprivation, leading to Maya's tragic demise.
"The loss of baby Maya was not merely a tragedy; it was an appalling breakdown of essential healthcare services," said Lloyd Bell, founding partner of Bell Law Firm. "Hospitals must be ready to cater to the needs of their youngest patients. The errors at Piedmont Eastside, from delayed treatment to insufficient resources, were not only negligent but unacceptable. It's particularly concerning to learn that Dr. Salazar, implicated in this case, has also been named in other medical malpractice suits filed by our firm."
The lawsuit, filed in April 2025, names Piedmont Healthcare, Inc., Piedmont Eastside Hospital, Inc., Eastside Medical Center LLC, and Dr. Salazar as defendants, alleging negligence stemming from the failure to meet the standard of care, directly leading to Maya's avoidable death.
"This case is about accountability," Bell reiterated. "No family should suffer the agony of losing a child due to a hospital's unpreparedness. Our aim is to ensure that no other child suffers like Maya."
Bell Law Firm continues to champion the rights of families impacted by medical negligence, striving to hold healthcare providers accountable for lapses in care and pursuing justice for preventable losses. For further information, visit www.belllawfirm.com.
Bell Law Firm is renowned as Georgia's premier medical malpractice and catastrophic injury firm. The firm, founded by Lloyd Bell in 1999, has garnered hundreds of millions for clients, including Georgia's largest-ever verdict, $75M. The firm has also secured record-breaking verdicts against healthcare providers statewide, such as a $26M verdict against a Columbus hospital and a $15M verdict against Georgia's largest healthcare provider. Bell Law Firm has been recognized with prestigious awards, including "Personal Injury Litigation Team of the Year" and "Most Innovative Law Firm" by The Daily Report. Lloyd Bell is a member of the exclusive Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of top U.S. trial attorneys. For additional information, visit www.belllawfirm.com or tune in to Lloyd's podcast, "Face the Jury."
- In the aftermath of Maya's death, legal action has been taken through Bell Law Firm, who claim that the medical-conditions related to her untreated allergic reaction and the hospital's failure to provide adequate pediatric emergency equipment amounted to personal injury and negligence.
- Bell Law Firm's ongoing pursuit of justice not only encompasses medical malpractice suits, but also emphasizes health-and-wellness awareness, striving to ensure that every patient, especially the youngest ones, receives the standard of care they deserve.
