A Detroit family is taking legal action against Ascension St. John Hospital after alleging that medical staff lost a portion of a woman’s skull following brain surgery — and mistakenly mixed it up with another patient’s bones.
According to ClickOnDetroit, the lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court after Edna Burton’s family said the hospital informed them that her skull fragment was missing months after a critical surgery. Burton, who had worked at the same hospital for over 20 years, underwent a hemicraniectomy in June 2023 to relieve pressure following a stroke. The procedure took place in the same operating room where she had spent decades assisting other patients.
Hospital Allegedly Mixed Skull With Another Patient’s Bones
The family’s lawsuit claims that the hospital mixed up Burton’s skull fragment with another patient’s bones, identified as Edna Brown. When doctors were ready to perform a second surgery to reattach Burton’s skull piece, the staff admitted that it was missing.
The hospital reportedly offered Burton’s family a prosthetic replacement instead, but her health began to decline after it was implanted. “She stopped talking, really, stopped eating, like bed-bound, she had bed sores,” said Burton’s daughter. “Her physical therapist said I’m not going to continue to do physical therapy because we’re torturing her with how much pain she’s in.”
Family members said Burton’s condition deteriorated rapidly and that she endured months of pain and confusion. They believe the hospital’s mistake and negligence played a direct role in her suffering.
Hospital Reportedly Offered Family a $25 Gas Card
In a move that further angered the family, Ascension St. John Hospital allegedly tried to offer them a $25 gas card following the incident.
Burton’s daughter, Erica, called the gesture insulting and said it reflected how the hospital handled the situation. “They could say that it all, what she’s going through stemmed from the stroke — how do we know?” Erica said. “You threw her bone away. You didn’t even give her the chance.”
The family argues that Burton was denied the proper recovery process she deserved and that the hospital’s mishandling of her medical care has left her in a debilitated state.
While Ascension St. John Hospital has not commented publicly on the lawsuit, the case has renewed concerns about medical accountability and oversight within hospital systems.
