The family of Irvo Otieno, a disabled Navy veteran who died while under the care of the White City VA Hospital in Portland, Oregon five years ago, has officially settled the lawsuit they filed after his death. The settlement concludes a long and arduous process which began shortly after Irvo had passed away.
After Irvo arrived at the White City VA Hospital with mental health and addiction problems in July 2015, his family noticed a significant decrease in his physical and mental well-being. The family attempted to consult with the hospital staff to address their concerns, but they were consistently refused. After Irvo passed away in January 2016, his family immediately filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the US Department of Veterans Affairs and other responsible parties.
The lawsuit alleged that the VA and other responsible parties had neglected their duty to provide proper care and supervision to Irvo while he was a patient at White City. The lawsuit further claimed that the VA was negligent in its care of Irvo, leading to his premature death.
After a lengthy battle, the parties reached a mutually agreeable settlement. The settlement includes an undisclosed amount of financial compensation to the Otieno family. Additionally, the VA has implemented changes to the White City VA Hospital in order to provide better care and oversight to all its patients.
The settlement is a bittersweet ending for the Otieno family. No amount of financial compensation can make up for the loss of their beloved son and brother. Nevertheless, the family is reassured knowing that their fight to get justice and ensure better safety measures for veterans was successful.
The demise of Irvo Otieno and the subsequent settlement of his family’s lawsuit are a stark reminder of the mental health problems faced by men and women in the military. It’s vital that we, as a society, ensure that the men and women who serve our country are given the care and attention they need and deserve.
