California Hospital Faces Lawsuit for Failing to Inform Family of Patient's Death for Nearly a Year

Jessie Peterson's body was stored in a morgue while her family searched for her, believing she had checked out of the hospital.

Jessie Peterson, 31, died at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in April 2023 from a diabetic episode.
The hospital told her family she had discharged herself, leading them to search for her for a year.
Peterson's body was found in an off-site cold storage facility, severely decomposed, in April 2024.
The family is suing for negligence, emotional distress, and mishandling of remains, seeking over $5 million in damages.
Dignity Health, which operates the hospital, has not commented on the pending litigation.