Family sues over lost body

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 | 9:33 a.m.

A Utah family has filed a lawsuit against Valley Hospital Medical Center, claiming hospital employees lost the body of a loved one for so long he couldn't be viewed at his memorial service.

According to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in District Court, LaMar McDonald died at Valley Hospital July 4 after an angiogram and other procedures.

The family, however, was unable to make funeral arrangements because McDonald's body could not be found for two days, the lawsuit alleges. The family also claims that the disappearance caused a delay in the issuance of a death certificate and the cremation of McDonald's body.

McDonald was cremated 13 days after he died and, because of the condition of his body, could not be viewed, the lawsuit states.

McDonald's family is seeking unspecified damages.

Attempts to reach hospital officials were unsuccessful. Patrick Murphy, who represents McDonald's family, declined comment.

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