“Uncovering the Truth: The Lincare Lawsuit and the Tragic Death of LeQuon Vernor”
Lincare, a major respiratory-device supplier in the United States, is currently facing a lawsuit that alleges their negligence led to the death of a 27-year-old man with Down syndrome. The lawsuit, set to go to trial in state court in St. Louis on March 17, revolves around the 2020 death of LeQuon Marquis Vernor, who relied on a BiPAP machine supplied by Lincare to assist with his severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Vernor, who lived with his mother in Illinois, had been using the BiPAP machine since 2015, as prescribed by the Sleep Medicine Center at Washington University in St. Louis. The machine delivered pressurized air through a mask to help him breathe while sleeping. However, when the machine malfunctioned in September 2020, Sharon Vernor, LeQuon’s mother, contacted Lincare to report the issue. Despite the urgency of the situation, Lincare took seven days to respond to the report, during which time LeQuon struggled to sleep and breathe without the device.
Tragically, on the day Lincare finally arrived with a replacement BiPAP machine, Sharon Vernor found her son motionless in bed, with bloody fluid and foam coming out of his mouth and nose. An autopsy later revealed that Vernor’s death was due to complications of obstructive sleep apnea.
The lawsuit filed by Sharon Vernor accuses Lincare of prioritizing profits over patient care by failing to promptly provide a replacement BiPAP and refusing to offer loaner equipment in the interim. Lincare, on the other hand, denies the allegations, stating that they followed legal requirements and their policies in responding to the situation.
The case has shed light on Lincare’s history of Medicare-related misconduct, including billing fraud settlements, and their poor customer service reputation. Former Lincare managers have come forward with allegations of discouraging the provision of temporary replacement equipment to patients in need.
As the trial approaches, the judge has ruled in favor of allowing punitive damages to be sought against Lincare, indicating that there is evidence to suggest the company acted with deliberate disregard for the safety of others. Testimonies from Lincare employees have also highlighted the company’s negligence in handling LeQuon Vernor’s case.
The outcome of this trial will not only determine accountability for LeQuon Vernor’s tragic death but also raise questions about the practices and responsibilities of medical equipment suppliers like Lincare in ensuring the well-being of their vulnerable patients.