When Denise Lost Her Husband, She Was Determined to Find Answers
Richard was only 35 years old when he died. He was a husband, father, and the person Denise considered her best friend.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Richard and his family fell ill. At first, it seemed as though everyone was beginning to recover. They cooked dinner together, joked about who made the better gravy, and watched a movie as a family.
But the following afternoon, everything changed.
Richard texted Denise from the bedroom, asking her to come to him. When she walked in, he told her he couldn’t breathe. Denise rushed him to the hospital, never imagining it would be the last time she would see her husband.
After Richard died, Denise was left with grief, unanswered questions, and eight children who needed her. She wanted to understand what had happened and whether anything could have been done differently.
Her search for answers eventually led her to Buckfire Law and attorney Randall (Randy) Blau. The firm investigated her concerns, worked with independent medical experts, and pursued a medical malpractice wrongful death claim that ultimately settled for $1 million.
For Denise, the outcome helped her provide a safer, more secure future for her children.
Denise's Wrongful Death Case: At a Glance
| Location | Pontiac, Michigan (Oakland County) |
| Incident | Husband (35) hospitalized during COVID, told he was improving, then went into cardiac arrest and died |
| Legal Hurdle | Another law firm had declined the case |
| Legal Support | Medical malpractice investigation, independent medical expert reviews, wrongful death claim, and settlement negotiations |
| Outcome | Settlement of available liability insurance policy limits |
Remembering Richard: A Husband, Father, and Best Friend
Richard was the youngest and the only African American supervisor at his company. He had been named Employee of the Year, took enormous pride in his work, and was known for helping anyone who needed it.
Even after long shifts, he made time for his family and community. He would come home and grill for his family, help neighbors with projects, or volunteer at church. Denise remembers him as someone whose heart was “as big as his body.”
More than anything, Richard was Denise’s best friend.
“He knew my frustrations, my fears, my hurts, my worries… I shared all things with him because he was my everything.”
Together, Denise and Richard were raising eight children and opening their home to foster children. They had built a family and a life that meant everything to them.
Richard was also someone his family could depend on. His death left Denise not only grieving her husband but also facing the responsibility of raising their children without him.
The Hospital Visit That Changed Everything
In the early days of COVID-19, Richard and his family fell ill. After several difficult days, Denise thought things were finally improving.
Then Richard sent her a message:
“Babe, can you come here?”
When Denise entered the bedroom, Richard told her:
“I can’t breathe.”
She helped him into the car and drove toward the emergency room. During the drive, Richard stopped responding. He remained upright, and Denise could see tears rolling down his face, but he could not speak.
When they arrived at the hospital, Richard quietly apologized to her.
“I could hear you. I just couldn’t respond.”
Hospital staff took Richard inside. It was the last time Denise saw her husband.
Over the next several hours, Denise received encouraging updates. She was told Richard was improving, that his oxygen was being reduced, and that he might soon be discharged with oxygen at home.
Then the hospital called. Richard had suddenly collapsed. His heart had stopped, and he was placed on life support. About 30 minutes later, Denise received another call. Richard had died.
He was just 35 years old.
The sudden change left Denise struggling to understand what had happened. She kept thinking about the episodes during the drive to the hospital when Richard appeared conscious and could hear her but could not respond.
A critical care nurse in her family later suggested those symptoms sounded consistent with a blood clot. Denise began questioning whether the possibility had been recognized and appropriately addressed during Richard’s care.
She wanted answers, so she paid for an independent autopsy herself.
Searching for Answers After Richard’s Death: Another Law Firm Turned Her Away
Denise had never hired an attorney before. After the autopsy, she began searching for a lawyer who could help her understand whether medical negligence may have contributed to Richard’s death.
She initially contacted another law firm, which accepted the case. But later, Denise was told that the firm’s medical expert did not want to pursue it because of COVID-19. The firm dropped the case.
For Denise, that was another devastating setback. She still had questions, but she did not know where to turn.
She decided not to give up.
Denise eventually found Buckfire Law. From her first meeting with the firm, she felt that someone was finally listening. Her concerns were taken seriously, and attorney Randall M. Blau and the team were willing to investigate the case.
“The fact that they believed in my case enough to take it spoke volumes for me.”
The firm’s initial medical expert reached the same conclusion as the expert consulted by the previous law firm. But rather than stopping there, Randall continued looking for qualified medical professionals who could evaluate Richard’s care.
By the end of the case, the firm had retained four independent medical experts who supported Denise’s claim.
That persistence meant everything to her.
“I love that they fought for us. They didn’t just give up after talking to one doctor.”
How Buckfire Law Investigated the Medical Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice wrongful death cases can involve extensive medical records, expert reviews, and complex questions about whether a healthcare provider’s actions met the accepted standard of care.
Denise’s case required a thorough investigation. Buckfire Law reviewed the available evidence and worked with multiple independent medical experts to evaluate the concerns surrounding Richard’s treatment.
The process took time, but Denise appreciated that the firm continued working on the case and kept her informed.
Every few months, the team contacted her with updates. When she had questions, someone responded quickly.
She knew the firm was continuing to work on her family’s behalf.
“I knew they were working. I knew they were doing everything they said they would do.”
For Denise, the communication helped make a difficult legal process more manageable. She did not feel forgotten or left wondering what was happening with the case.
The firm’s willingness to continue investigating was especially meaningful.
A $1 Million Wrongful Death Settlement Helped Denise Build a Future for Her Children
Richard’s death left a hole in Denise’s family that no legal outcome could ever fill.
As Denise has said, no verdict, settlement, or amount of money could bring her husband back. But the resolution of the case could help her build a more secure future for the children they were raising together.
The medical malpractice wrongful death case ultimately settled for $1 million.
For Denise, the settlement was not about becoming wealthy. It was about giving her children a safe place to live and opportunities for a better future.
The recovery helped her purchase a home where every child could have room to grow and feel safe. It also allowed the family to move to a better school district and begin planning a family business that could provide long-term stability.
Denise was even able to welcome another foster child into their home.
“All I cared about was finding a home for my children that they could be proud of… that they would feel safe in… and Buckfire Law got us just that.”
Years after the case ended, Denise says the firm has continued checking in on her family—not because another document needs to be signed or a hearing is scheduled, but simply to ask how the children are doing and how life is going.
That personal attention stayed with her.
“They changed my life the moment I walked through their door… They listened. They cared. They fought for us.”
When asked what she would tell someone looking for a lawyer, Denise shared:
“Buckfire Law has a heart for their clients. When they say they’re going to take a case, they’re going to do everything they can to see that case through. I would 100% recommend Buckfire Law.”
Learn More About Michigan Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical negligence claims require proving that a healthcare provider breached the accepted standard of care. If you or a family member suffered harm due to a medical error, explore our authoritative legal guides to understand your rights under Michigan law:
- Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawsuits: Learn about the legal requirements for filing a claim, expert witness requirements, and how medical errors are investigated.
- Notice of Intent & Statute of Limitations Rules: Understand the strict two-year filing deadline and the mandatory 182-day Notice of Intent (NOI) period required by Michigan statute.
- Medical Malpractice Compensation & Damage Caps: Discover how economic damages (medical bills, lost earnings) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are calculated under state cap limits.
Free Guide for Michigan Victims of Medical Errors
Get straight answers after a medical mistake or delayed diagnosis. Download a free copy of The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook, authored by senior trial attorney Lawrence J. Buckfire. This comprehensive guide details how to obtain medical records, what to expect during a case review, and how to protect your family’s legal rights without any financial risk.
Download Your Free Medical Malpractice Handbook →
Investigating Healthcare Negligence Statewide
Our specialized medical malpractice legal team represents patients and families harmed in hospitals and clinics throughout Michigan. You can consult with our attorneys at our main office in Southfield or schedule an appointment at our regional branch locations in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Macomb County, or Flint.
