Julia Reagan’s Husband Takes Legal Action Over Hospital Negligence Claim

SALT LAKE CITY — The family of Julia Reagan, a woman whose memorial billboards have appeared across multiple states, has filed a lawsuit against University of Utah Health, alleging that medical negligence led to her wrongful death.

Her husband, William Reagan, is pursuing legal action against the hospital system, seeking financial compensation for what he claims were failures in her medical care that resulted in her untimely passing at 81 years old.

Allegations of Medical Negligence

According to the lawsuit, Julia Reagan was admitted to the University of Utah Hospital’s emergency department on June 11, 2024, after experiencing vomiting, drowsiness, and an altered mental state. Doctors identified her as being at high risk for aspiration, meaning she could inhale stomach contents into her lungs, which can be life-threatening.

However, the lawsuit alleges that medical staff failed to take critical precautions to protect her. It claims that:

Doctors did not remove fluid from her enlarged stomach, which could have helped prevent complications.
Nurses failed to maintain an elevated head position, which was part of the prescribed aspiration prevention measures.

The next day, Julia Reagan suffered severe vomiting, leading to brain and lung injuries, cardiac arrest, and ultimately, her death.

An autopsy reportedly determined that she died from sudden cardiorespiratory arrest caused by aspiration of vomit, which was triggered by a small bowel obstruction due to abdominal adhesions.

The lawsuit accuses University of Utah Health of breaching medical standards of care by failing to properly evaluate her condition and prevent foreseeable complications.

Seeking Justice and Compensation

The Reagan family is seeking damages for:

Wrongful death and the prolonged pain and suffering she endured.
Emotional distress and financial losses for her surviving family members.
Medical and funeral expenses incurred after her passing.
Legal fees associated with pursuing the case.

In response to the lawsuit, University of Utah Health issued a brief statement:

“As always, the care of our patients is our priority. We don’t comment on specific patient cases or ongoing litigation.”

A Life Remembered

Julia Reagan’s passing gained widespread attention due to a billboard campaign launched by her family, with memorial messages displayed across Utah, Tennessee, Indiana, and other states. Her husband, William Reagan, is the founder of Reagan Outdoor Advertising, a major billboard company based in Salt Lake City.

Even now, some of these billboards remain visible along highways and city streets, serving as a tribute to her memory.

According to her obituary, Julia Reagan earned a Ph.D. from the University of Utah, was a mother of four, and was actively involved in political and health organizations. After her death, her family requested that donations be made to University of Utah family scholarships in her honor.

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.