After a carbon monoxide leak at a Tennessee university last winter, a former student says the school still has not paid or reimbursed the medical costs she incurred from treatment at two hospitals.
Here's what to know
Lilly Rumrill told local news outlet WJHL that Milligan University athletes were emailed and told to report to the wellness center for screening after exposure connected to practice in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
Rumrill, who was a first-year student on the flag football team at the time, had been in the facility before the Feb. 8 leak was discovered.
The incident first took her to Bristol Regional Medical Center and then to Johnson City Medical Center after she developed a headache and felt her breathing was "weird," according to WJHL.
"I was sent back from the hospital originally, but my levels were dangerously low, so I don't really know how I was sent back without any treatment," Rumrill told the local outlet.
"Then my friends brought me back to another hospital where most of our school was, and they actually treated me for what I needed," she said. "I got an EKG, blood drawn, an IV, and put on oxygen for like six hours."
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According to WJHL, the local fire marshal said the leak most likely came from an internal mechanical failure that led to issues with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
More background
In a February video statement, Milligan president Stephan Waers said the university would cover medical expenses tied to the incident.
However, Jesse Campbell, Rumrill's attorney, told WJHL that, as of October, the university had not paid those medical bills.
Campbell also told the outlet that Rumrill has continued to experience symptoms related to the leak, including fatigue and brain fog.
What's being done?
Campbell shared that his team is pursuing accountability beyond reimbursement by looking into what safety measures existed before the leak.
"Accidents happen," Campbell said. He continued, "We understand that, but most accidents are preventable as long as you're following safety rules and precautions and inspections."
According to WJHL, Milligan University attributed the delay in bill payment to an "unexpected change" in its insurance carrier's claims process.
"We are deeply disappointed by these delays and will continue working with our insurance carrier, its representatives, and medical providers to advocate for our students and see these expenses paid as quickly as possible," the school wrote in a statement to the news outlet.
Where can I learn more?
Similar questions surrounding toxic exposure, medical costs, and who ends up paying for care have popped up in other parts of the country:
• In Florida, a teacher says classroom leaks and mold left her with a chronic illness.
• In Indiana, a weeklong blackout became a health care emergency, with patient harms still unclear.
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