$100M Lawsuit Filed After Tragic Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion
The heartbreaking story out of Troy, Michigan has shaken many people across the country. Earlier this year, five-year-old Thomas Cooper tragically lost his life inside a hyperbaric chamber when it exploded during what was supposed to be a medical treatment. Now, his family is seeking justice through a massive lawsuit that aims to hold those responsible accountable and to shine a light on what they say are deeply troubling industry practices.
Fieger Law, a well-known Michigan law firm, announced that it has filed a $100 million lawsuit on behalf of Thomas’s family. The case names eight defendants, including both individuals and companies. Four of those people—Tamela Peterson, Gary Marken, Jeffrey Mosteller, and Aleta Moffitt—are not only being sued, but are also facing criminal charges. Peterson, who founded and ran the Oxford Center where the treatment took place, is charged with murder, along with Marken and Mosteller, who worked at the facility. Moffitt, the chamber operator at the time, is facing involuntary manslaughter charges.
Also Read:- Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC After Controversial Suspension
- Lions Shake Up NFL Power Rankings After Stunning Win
The lawsuit also targets Sechrist Industries, which manufactured the chamber, as well as several organizations connected to the treatment center. According to the family’s attorneys, these chambers were not designed with safety in mind. In fact, the lawsuit claims they were essentially ticking time bombs. Attorneys pointed out that there were no warning labels, no fire suppression systems, no emergency extraction mechanisms—nothing in place to protect patients in the event of a fire.
During a press conference, Fieger Law Managing Partner James Harrington emphasized that the entire tragedy could have been prevented. He described the chambers as machines designed more for profit than for patient care, noting that billions of dollars are being made in the industry while basic safety features are ignored. Harrington said the lack of even a single warning sticker was shocking, considering the well-known dangers of hyperbaric oxygen treatment under unsafe conditions.
Investigators testified that a static spark inside the chamber was likely the cause of the deadly explosion. Expert witnesses explained that Thomas was not provided with a grounding strap—a simple device that could have prevented static buildup. Without that protection, the chamber became a highly flammable environment, and when the spark ignited, tragedy followed.
Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, has also been outspoken, calling the Oxford Center’s practices reckless and profit-driven. She described the way the chambers were operated as dangerous, noting that the equipment had been used well past its safe service life and with little regard for proper safety protocols.
At the heart of this lawsuit is a grieving family who lost their young child in a horrific way. Their attorneys say this case is not only about securing justice for Thomas but also about forcing change in an industry where lives are at stake. As the legal battle unfolds, the message being pushed forward is clear: safety should never be sacrificed for profits.
Read More:
0 Comments