Emory to pay family $20.5M for death at sleep center

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta mother is hoping a $20.5 million verdict will help get some justice for her son.

A jury ruled in favor of the family of Brandon Harris in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Emory Sleep Center in DeKalb County.

The 25-year-old went to the center to be tested for sleep apnea in January 2010.

Harris suffered from congestive heart failure. During the study, Harris said he was having chest pains and couldn't breathe.

"The call that I got, I thought, was to say he was ready for me to pick him up, and instead, they were taking him to get some oxygen," Harris' mother, Sunshine Lewis, told Channel 2 Action News.

About two hours later, Harris died.

Harris' family sued the Emory Sleep Center, citing negligence and claiming technicians did not call for help fast enough.

Lewis and her attorneys tell Channel 2 Action News they are satisfied with Friday's verdict.

"The verdict says that DeKalb County expects a high standard as it relates to the care and treatment provided," said Cochran Firm attorney Shean Williams.

An Emory University spokesman told Channel 2 Action News he could not comment on the judgment, but in an e-mail wrote, "Since January 2010, the Emory community has shared in the loss of Brandon Harris."

Lewis knows the judgment won't bring her son back but says he'll always be with her.

"He's with me every day now. ;His spirit will always be with me," Lewis said.