Family files lawsuit against Snellville hospital after daughter dies while having allergic reaction

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The family of a 2-year-old girl has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a metro Atlanta hospital, claiming inadequate care led to her death last year.

Maya Getahun’s family filed the lawsuit against Piedmont Eastside Medical Center in Snellville.

The lawsuit states on Oct. 7, 2024, her family brought her to the emergency room after Getahun was bitten by ants and had an allergic reaction.

“While recognizing this was an allergic reaction, the medical staff waited over 20 minutes before administering epinephrine, causing Maya’s condition to worsen,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit claims that when doctors tried to intubate Getahun, they realized they did not have the right-sized equipment for a young child.

“Maya’s parents looked on helplessly as their daughter slowly died from lack of oxygen,” the lawsuit states.

“Maya’s death was 100% preventable,” said Lloyd Bell, founding partner of Bell Law Firm, one of the firms representing the parents, along with the law firm Andersen, Tate & Carr.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and that “judgment be entered in plaintiff’s favor in an amount in excess of $10,000.”

The lawsuit was filed in Gwinnett County State Court on April 4.

Atlanta News First has reached out to the hospital for comment but has not heard back.