Woman sues hospital that declared her dead

VALPARAISO, Ind., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- An Indiana woman suing a hospital says she is owed damages for the trouble she was caused when doctors pronounced a woman with the same name dead last winter.

Diane Wright, 67, Jackson Township, contends Porter Hospital caused her to lose her Social Security and health insurance after they allegedly notified various agencies that she had died, the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana reported Tuesday.

In addition, the federal government sent a claim to Wright's husband demanding repayment of nearly $3,000 in Social Security benefits paid to his "late" wife.

The departed was actually another Diane Wright, who died in January at Porter.

The attorney representing the still-living Diane Wright told the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana that the hospital failed to correct the error for months.

"This is not one of those 'I spilled coffee in my lap at McDonald's (lawsuits),'" said lawyer Thomas Hillers, who added "They just want it to be made right."