Woman Sues Family Following Malpractice Settlement Related to Father

A woman from Massachusetts attempted to gain financially by suing over a medical malpractice settlement linked to her father, just one month after reconnecting with her two estranged sisters through a DNA test.

Carmen Thomas, 28, took a 23andMe DNA test in February 2023, uncovering that she has two biological sisters, Kari and Abigail Brown. Their father, Joe, passed away in 2018 from an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm.

Documents filed in court reveal that Joe was 43 when he went to Salem Hospital in January, complaining of pain that spread from his upper abdomen to his chest and back. After nearly a day of pain and difficulty breathing, doctors finally diagnosed him with an aneurysm, but by then it was too late; he died the following day.

Kari, Abigail, and their mother Christine later sued the hospital, alleging that its failure to diagnose Joe promptly prevented them from saving him. In April 2023, a jury awarded them a substantial $28.8 million in damages, just a month after Thomas reached out to Kari, looking to introduce herself as their newfound sister.

Upon learning about the settlement, Thomas initiated a lawsuit against her half-sister, asserting that the family seemed to be joyfully reunited just before the financial award, which included photos from their first meeting.

However, the Browns contended that while Abigail and Kari were initially hesitant, they agreed to meet Thomas out of kindness. They soon regretted their decision when Thomas displayed possessiveness and made it clear she wanted financial contributions for expenses like gas and food. Legal documents claim she even threatened to harm herself if her demands weren’t met.

As the situation unfolded following the settlement news, tensions escalated. The Browns’ attorney, Joseph Lipitz, pointed out that Thomas’ attempt to block access to the family’s funds was not only legally baseless but could also be viewed as contempt of court.

Lipitz noted that the family was taken aback by the lawsuit. “Their father’s death was incredibly traumatic. The sudden emergence of this supposed heir demanding money only compounded their grief,” he commented.

The sisters chose to cease communication with Thomas in early April, fearing an unclear familial relationship, as Thomas’ mother hadn’t disclosed previously having a connection with Joe Brown.

Ultimately, Lipitz stated that the case resolved favorably for his clients, primarily because Thomas filed it long after her father’s alleged death.

Meanwhile, 23andMe, previously a leader in DNA testing, declared bankruptcy in March, raising concerns regarding the protection of personal data for its 15 million customers.