Amanuel Redda, representing the Estate of Tsehainesh Ghebrehiwet, lost a wrongful death lawsuit against Renton Healthcare Rehabilitation Center and its medical staff. The Washington Court of Appeals ruled on November 2, 2026, that the defendants did not owe a duty of care to Ghebrehiwet, who died from COVID-19 complications. This decision has significant implications for similar cases involving healthcare providers and COVID-19.

The Estate alleged that Dr. Nishita Bhumkar, one of the defendants, caused Ghebrehiwet to contract COVID-19, leading to her death. The Estate claimed wrongful death, lost chance of survival, and violation of the Abuse of Vulnerable Adults Act (AVAA). The case highlights the challenges faced by families seeking accountability for COVID-19-related deaths in healthcare settings.

Background

The parties involved in this case include Amanuel Redda, acting as the personal representative of Ghebrehiwet's estate, and several defendants, including Renton Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Darren Swenson, Dr. Nishita Bhumkar, and Providence Health & Services. Ghebrehiwet was a hospice patient at the rehabilitation center, suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

The dispute arose after Ghebrehiwet contracted COVID-19 and ultimately died on May 14, 2020. The Estate filed the lawsuit on March 6, 2023, alleging that Dr. Bhumkar's actions directly or indirectly caused Ghebrehiwet's infection. The case reached the Court of Appeals after the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants, dismissing the Estate's claims.

The Ruling

The Court of Appeals upheld the trial court's decision, affirming that Dr. Bhumkar did not owe a common law duty of care to Ghebrehiwet. The court stated, "We hold that Dr. Bhumkar did not owe Ghebrehiwet a common law duty of care not to enter RHRC after testing positive for COVID-19." This ruling effectively dismissed the Estate's claims against the Swenson Defendants.

The court noted that the Estate failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish proximate causation, which is a critical element in negligence claims. The trial court concluded that the Estate's experts did not demonstrate that any actions by Dr. Bhumkar caused Ghebrehiwet's death.

Impact

This ruling sets a significant precedent for future cases involving wrongful death claims related to COVID-19 in healthcare settings. It clarifies that healthcare providers may not have a legal duty to prevent the spread of COVID-19 unless a specific duty is established. The decision could impact how families approach similar lawsuits, particularly in proving causation and establishing a duty of care.

The ruling also raises questions about the responsibilities of healthcare workers during public health emergencies. As the pandemic continues to evolve, the implications of this decision may influence how courts interpret duty of care in future cases involving infectious diseases.

What's Next

The Estate may consider appealing the decision to the Washington Supreme Court, although details about any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. There may also be related cases pending that could further clarify the legal standards for healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.