Family of KC area nurse who died after contracting COVID-19 files for compensation
The family of a Research Medical Center nurse who died after she was diagnosed with COVID-19 has filed a workers compensation claim against the hospital, their attorneys announced Tuesday.
The filing comes three weeks after Celia Yap-Banago, 69, died after treating a patient who later tested positive for the rapidly spreading virus. Another nurse who treated the same patient also tested positive for the virus but recovered.
Members of the National Nurses Union who work at the hospital have said HCA Midwest, the hospital’s ownership group, failed to provide Yap-Banago and other nurses with adequate personal protective equipment.
The compensation filing says that Yap-Banago died as a result of her work at the hospital and that “despite her requests, she was not given proper PPE.”
“Celia is a hero who went in to work every day to serve the public good. In response, she was refused life-saving PPE by her employer and contracted a fatal case of coronavirus,” said Brent Welder, one of the family’s attorneys in a news release.
“Healthcare workers like her are sacrificing their lives, and Celia’s family wants to ensure that our nation honors its responsibility to them and their families.”
Kristie Welder is also representing the family.
HCA Midwest has repeatedly said the hospital has an adequate supply of protective equipment. In a statement Tuesday, HCA Midwest spokeswoman Christine Hamele said the company is “heartbroken” by Yap-Banago’s death.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to her family and friends, and all who she blessed along the way,” the statement said. “We look forward to a swift resolution, working within the State of Missouri’s workers’ compensation system.”
Brent Welder said he hopes HCA will cooperate with a full investigation during the claim process.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 5:18 PM.
