Teen With Down Syndrome’s Family Files First Step In Landmark Lawsuit Against St. Elizabeth’s Hospital — Press Conference

Grace Schara, a 19-year-old with Down Syndrome, died at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital(Ascension) after medical personnel administered three drugs that, when given together, are known to hasten severe hypoxia– Precedex, Lorazepam, and Morphine. As Grace slipped into acute respiratory failure and Grace’s sister begged for help, instead of starting CPR immediately, the nurses refused; Grace’s physician had independently designated her as a “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR). That DNR order was written without the family’s consent and in defiance of the Schara family’s express wishes that all lifesaving measures be deployed for their Down Syndrome daughter.

As a result of the lethal cocktail of drugs and the fraudulent DNR order Grace died on Oct. 13, 2021. The Schara family will be filing a first of its kind lawsuit against St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (Ascension), and doctors and nurses related to the wrongful death of Grace Schara. The first step in the process is a request for mediation with the Director of State Courts, which will be filed on March 30. “St. Elizabeth’s not only breached the Standard of Care, but their unethical behavior led directly to Grace’s death,” stated father, Scott Schara. “It’s clear to me that this hospital was a dangerous place for Down Syndrome patients like my daughter. My Grace was discriminated against due to her disability and she received grossly subpar healthcare, in clear violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” Grace’s legal case will lay the groundwork for other hospital victims where their right to informed consent was denied and the patient suffered injury and death. Scott Schara will meet with the media to outline the family’s legal plans at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 1725 S. Oneida Street Appleton, WI 54915 (across the street from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital). The Schara family will be joined by one of their attorneys and another hospital victim.