College student dies after overdose of pain medication at bankrupt Connecticut hospital
A 21-year-old student from Manhattan died at Waterbury Hospital after receiving an excessive dose of painkillers for a broken ankle, according to a lawsuit filed by her family.
Dale Alice Martin, a 21-year-old Manhattan native studying at Trinity University in Texas, arrived at Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut on April 10, 2025, after breaking her ankle while working on a farm. Hospital personnel gave her a large combination of painkillers, which sedated her and suppressed her breathing, leading to cardiac arrest within 14 hours of admission. An autopsy later determined that the overdose was the direct cause of her death.
Her father, Lindsay Martin, said the family was unaware that the hospital was bankrupt and under investigation, with reports of staff shortages and cost-cutting measures. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Christopher Mattei, accuses the hospital of neglecting to check on her and of operating on “fumes” due to the previous owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, dismantling essential services. A hospital representative declined comment, noting the death occurred before Hartford HealthCare’s acquisition of the facility.
Why it matters
The case highlights potential dangers of underfunded hospitals and raises questions about patient safety during ownership transitions.
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