State OKs $4.5M settlement in Iowa City woman's hospital death

Source: thegazette.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

The State Appeals Board approved a $4.5 million settlement Tuesday in a lawsuit against University of Iowa Health Care over the 2022 death of Jennifer Kennedy, a 31-year-old Iowa City woman. Kennedy entered the hospital for a routine hysterectomy to remove uterine fibroids but suffered cardiac arrest, anoxic brain injury, and died. The suit alleged negligence by hospital staff; her attorney is Farl Greene of Ball, Kirk & Holm in North Liberty. She had recently earned her nursing doctorate and was set to start as a nurse practitioner at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.[[1]](https://www.thegazette.com/news/crime-and-courts/state-approves-4-5m-settlement-in-iowa-city-woman-s-death/article_37735903-39cc-40ba-a394-69ae4ddcd585.html)

Key points

Details and context

Kennedy's surgery was described as routine, but complications arose that proved fatal. Anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen, often after cardiac arrest, leading to severe damage.

The State Appeals Board approves settlements for claims against the state under Iowa's tort claims process, especially for amounts over $5,000, which require board, attorney general, and court involvement in some cases. This settlement reflects the board's role in resolving such disputes without full trial.[[1]](https://www.thegazette.com/news/crime-and-courts/state-approves-4-5m-settlement-in-iowa-city-woman-s-death/article_37735903-39cc-40ba-a394-69ae4ddcd585.html)

University of Iowa Health Care is a major state-run facility; past settlements, like a $4.2 million payout in another case, show pattern of resolving malpractice claims via board approval.

Key quotes

None available from visible sources.

Why it matters

This case highlights risks in routine surgeries at major hospitals and accountability for state-run facilities. It means families of negligence victims can seek compensation through Iowa's tort process, though settlements do not admit fault. Watch for any further details on lawsuit terms or hospital response, as full article remains paywalled.