Family Of Darien Boy Who Died In 2022 Files Lawsuit Against Stamford Doctor

DARIEN, CT — The family of a Darien teenager who died in 2022 from a medical emergency has filed a lawsuit against Stamford Health, a Stamford Hospital doctor, and Emergency Medical Physicians of New Haven LLC, according to documents on file with Stamford Superior Court.

The lawsuit, which was filed in August by Sima Farmer, the mother of Henry Farmer V, claims that Dr. Nicole Porti's negligence in treating Farmer caused his death.

On the afternoon of April 12, 2022, Farmer, 16, a Darien High School student and hockey player, was found in his room by his parents and "appeared to be pale, lethargic and had altered mental status," according to the lawsuit.

Farmer was taken to Stamford Hospital by ambulance in "active cardiac arrest," and he was pronounced dead shortly after 5 p.m.

The lawsuit claims Farmer died from a pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis.

The lawsuit further claims that Porti failed to order additional testing and lab work for Farmer, including an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and a blood test that's used to determine a blood clotting condition.

"As a result of defendant Dr. Porti's negligence, decedent Henry Farmer's condition was not properly diagnosed and treated which allowed his condition to progress, ultimately leading to his death," the lawsuit claims. "As a further result of Dr. Porti's negligence, decedent Henry Farmer suffered physical and mental pain, anguish and anxiety prior to his death."

Farmer had gone to Stamford Hospital on separate occasions in April 2022 after complaining of an ongoing, dry, persistent cough, and shortness of breath, the lawsuit claims.

On April 8, medical staff had Farmer breathe humidified air which seemed to help his symptoms, and he was discharged with instructions to continue taking allergy medication and to see an allergist for the consideration of outdoor environmental allergy testing, according to the lawsuit.

When he returned home, Farmer again began to complain of a persistent cough, and he returned to the hospital that night for an examination and a chest X-ray, the lawsuit claims, which didn't show any "radiographic evidence of acute cardiopulmonary disease."

Farmer's father was concerned he had pneumonia, which he had in the past, the lawsuit claims.

During this examination, Farmer's blood oxygen saturation had a below-normal range of 92 percent while sitting, according to the lawsuit.

Farmer tested negative for COVID-19, and was given a trial of Albuterol which again caused his symptoms to improve, the lawsuit claims. He was also prescribed a corticosteroid to treat asthma.

In the days after, Farmer complained "of a persistent cough, shortness of breath with exertion or speaking, lethargy and decreased appetite," the lawsuit claims.

He returned to Stamford Hospital on April 11 and was seen by Porti, a pediatric emergency room physician, according to the lawsuit. He tested negative for COVID-19 during this visit.

A differential diagnosis made by Porti included mononucleosis, exercise-induced asthma, COVID-19, electrolyte abnormality, anemia, anxiety and pneumonia.

Porti recommended following up with an allergist and then a pediatrician, the lawsuit claims, and Farmer was discharged with similar instructions from his prior visits.

The next day, Farmer was seen by an allergist/immunologist. It was the same day he was rushed to the hospital and later died.

"While we do not comment on ongoing litigations, we extend our sincerest condolences to the entire Farmer family," Stamford Hospital said in an emailed statement to Patch.

Farmer's death rocked the Darien community.

An avid hockey player in town, Farmer was remembered by those who knew him as a hard worker who always tried his best and supported his teammates.

"Henry was considered by many to be a role model, always exhibiting a hard work ethic, good sportsmanship and a sheer love of everything he set out to do," his obituary said. "He was such an immensely amazing person and will be missed beyond measure by his family who love him more than words can ever express. Henry lived his best life every day and those of us who were privileged enough to know him were so very lucky to be a part of his life."

The Darien Youth Hockey Association started The Henry L. Farmer V Scholarship Award, which is awarded to those who have exemplified what it is to be a great teammate and a coachable player.