Medical malpractice lawsuit being heard in Skagit County Superior Court

A medical malpractice lawsuit against Skagit Regional Health is being heard in Skagit County Superior Court.

The jury trial begin Monday in which the family of Michelle King alleges a Skagit Regional Health provider's lack of proper treatment led to King's death.

According to the lawsuit, the 30-year-old King died Sept. 19, 2022, just hours after being seen at Skagit Regional Health's Smokey Point clinic.

The lawsuit states that King, who suffered from asthma, went to the clinic after three days of struggling with shortness of breath.

King told clinic staff that neither her nebulizer machine nor her inhaler was helping.

When King arrived at the clinic, staff put her into wheelchair.

At the clinic, advanced registered nurse practitioner Rae Boyd assessed King as suffering from severe persistent asthma.

The lawsuit states that in a previous visit because of shortness of breath, King was able to control her symptoms after being given prednisone at the clinic and using her nebulizer at home.

On Sept. 19, 2022, King was given a nebulizer treatment and a prescription for prednisone to be picked up after leaving the clinic.

The lawsuit states that Boyd did not see King after ordering the nebulizer treatment.

The lawsuit states that it took two hours for a pharmacy to fill King's prescription, and that she took the medication as soon as she was able.

The lawsuit states that less then three hours after being released from the clinic, King passed out while struggling to breath.

First responders from North County Regional Fire Department were called, and found King unconscious and unresponsive.

She died at 3:46 p.m.

The lawsuit reads, "The acts and omissions of ARNP Rae Boyd were negligent in that he/she failed to exercise that degree of care, skill and learning expected of a reasonably prudent ARNP on September 19, 2022, in the Skagit Regional Clinic Urgent Care department setting ..."

It further states, "As a direct result of Defendants negligence, tortious conduct, and breach of fiduciary duties, Plaintiffs suffered injury and damages. Damages include, but are not limited to, mental and emotional distress, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, past and future economic loss, and medical expenses. Damages will be proven at trial and damages amounts will be deemed reasonable and proper as determined by the trier of fact."

The trial is expected to last eight days.

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