By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE family of a 64‑year‑old woman who died on Feb. 9, 2024, after a fall and rapid medical decline at the local hospital, has filed a wrongful‑death lawsuit in Superior Court, accusing the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. of negligence and failing to provide adequate care.
The eight‑page complaint, filed Jan. 3 by plaintiff Stephanie Tudela on behalf of the estate and heirs of Rita Ooka, alleges that CHCC staff failed to properly monitor, assess, and treat Ooka during her hospitalization from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9, 2024. A summons was issued to CHCC on Jan. 5.
The estate is represented by attorneys Victorino DLG Torres and Anthony Aguon.
According to the lawsuit, Ooka was admitted with anemia, suspected gastrointestinal bleeding, and a history of mechanical valve replacement requiring anticoagulation. Over the next two days, multiple physicians documented confusion, dizziness, and declining blood counts.
On Jan. 29, Ooka underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Later that evening, a nurse reportedly found her unresponsive and face‑down in a bathroom “in a pool of green stool,” the complaint states. The family alleges CHCC failed to monitor her condition, did not document how long she had been left alone, and provided no explanation for the fall.
A physician later noted fixed and dilated pupils and ordered her transfer to the intensive care unit. Between Jan. 30 and Feb. 4, imaging revealed a large intracerebral hemorrhage and extensive subarachnoid bleeding.
The lawsuit claims CHCC failed to take urgent action, including discontinuing warfarin, elevating her head to reduce intracranial pressure, or transferring her to a higher‑level facility. It also alleges delays in blood transfusions despite dangerously low hemoglobin levels and elevated INR results.
The INR is a blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot.
By Feb. 5, CHCC shifted Ooka to palliative care. The following day, she was designated Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate. The complaint states no palliative consultation or medical justification was documented. Ooka died on Feb. 9.
Tudela argues that CHCC’s actions and omissions directly caused Ooka’s fall, untreated brain hemorrhage, and eventual death. The lawsuit seeks compensatory, special, and survival damages, including medical and funeral costs, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.
The complaint also names several CHCC physicians and a nurse as employees whose alleged negligence contributed to Ooka’s injuries. They are currently listed as John Does pending further identification.
The Attorney General’s Office received a required government liability claim on Oct. 2, 2025, but did not respond within the 90‑day statutory period, resulting in a denial by operation of law, according to the filing.
CHCC has yet to file a response to the lawsuit.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
