- 5-year-old Thomas Cooper died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion containing 100% oxygen
- Facility owner Tamela Peterson and two employees charged with second-degree murder
- Michigan AG cites wanton disregardfor patient safety in historic prosecution
- Oxford Center disputes charges while cooperating with ongoing investigations
- Case raises urgent questions about hyperbaric therapy safety protocols
The Michigan medical community faces unprecedented scrutiny following explosive revelations about safety failures at the Oxford Center. New details emerged this week about the January incident that claimed young Thomas Cooper's life, with authorities alleging systemic negligence in the facility's operation of high-risk medical equipment.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chambers typically operate with oxygen concentrations below 100% precisely to mitigate explosion risks. Industry experts note that modern protocols require continuous atmospheric monitoring and redundant safety systems. This tragedy appears to violate multiple foundational safety principles,said Dr. Alicia Torres, president of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Facilities using 100% oxygen environments require NASA-level precautionary measures.
Michigan's case mirrors a 2018 Texas incident where improper maintenance led to a chamber fire during pediatric cancer treatment. That facility settled wrongful death claims for $8.2 million while implementing new staff certification requirements. Unlike Texas' civil resolution, Michigan prosecutors are pursuing criminal charges - a rarity in medical accident cases.
Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the deliberate nature of alleged safety failures: When medical providers bypass basic safety checks for financial expediency, they forfeit legal protections. Thomas's death wasn't an accident - it was the predictable result of reckless profit-seeking.Court filings reveal the chamber had multiple maintenance violations and untrained operators.
The Oxford Center maintains its commitment to patient safety while questioning the charges' timing. We've worked transparently with OSHA and fire investigators from day one,their statement reads. Premature legal action jeopardizes our ability to implement meaningful safety reforms.
As litigation proceeds, the case could reshape national HBOT regulations. Proposed Michigan House Bill 4471 would mandate real-time oxygen monitoring and emergency shutdown systems - measures Thomas's family advocates call Thomas's Law.With 1,300+ hyperbaric facilities nationwide, this tragedy underscores critical gaps in medical equipment oversight.