Family sues Helena hospital following death of mother

HELENA (AP) — The family of a woman who died in 2009 has filed a lawsuit against a Helena hospital and doctors contending inadequate care in the emergency room.

The Independent Record reports (http://bit.ly/15GSIkY) that the family of 27-year-old Brittney Niccole Norton filed the lawsuit Thursday in District Court in Helena against St. Peter's Hospital, Lewis and Clark Emergency Physicians, and one of its doctors.

The family contends that Norton went to the hospital on Oct. 10, 2009, with severe flu symptoms but wasn't treated, then returned several hours later and was told to see her primary care provider.

Court documents say that several days later she returned and was flown to Benefis Health System where she died shortly after a breathing tube was inserted.

St. Peter's Hospital declined to comment.

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