- Published: 26 November 2019
Inspired by the story of Elisha Brittman, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is sponsoring the Unidentified Patient Act, also known as The Elisha Brittman Law. Brittman – the victim of a brutal beating – was taken off life support earlier this year. Even more tragic: the family that made the decision wasn’t even his, because the hospital misidentified Mr. Brittman.
Brittman had been beaten so badly that the hospital was unable to identify him properly using photographs. It did not use fingerprints or DNA, which would have ensured a correct identification. Both Brittman’s mistaken family as well as his real one are filing a lawsuit.
“No family should have to go through this kind of trauma,” Van Pelt said. “One family was looking for their loved one, while the other was taxed with the decision to end his suffering. This entire situation was entirely avoidable.”