Gertrude Barrow
Gertrude Barrow, 41, died at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy, Washington, from a perforated chronic peptic ulcer and acute peritonitis. Her family was awarded $630,000 in 1994 on the basis of state negligence, according to a 2014 Seattle Weekly article. The article cites her case as one of the costliest state medical cases.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Her family's lawsuit, which won $630,000 in 1994, says state staff were negligent in her medical care before she died of a perforated ulcer and peritonitis.
Reported by: her family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); news reporting on the 1994 award (reporters).
Lawsuit: Her family won a $630,000 award from the State of Washington in 1994 over negligence in her medical care.