James Woods Settles Negligence Case Over Brother's Death

Hospital to rename wing after brother and invest in preventing future mistakes

Actor James Woods recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit against a Rhode Island hospital where his brother died of a heart attack.

"I can honestly say today that, as sad as it is that I have lost him forever ... my brother got justice," Woods said.

Under terms of the settlement, Michael Woods' family will receive an undisclosed amount of money, ensuring his three children would "have the opportunity to have a good education."

Also, the Kent Hospital will open an institute, named after Michael Woods,  "which will work to find ways to reduce human errors in hospitals," the AP reports. The hospital agreed to invest $1.25 million in the institute over the next five years.

"We made the best of a horrible tragedy," Woods said.

The lawsuit was filed after Michael Woods went to the Kent Hospital's emergency room in 2006, complaining of a sore throat and constant vomiting. Shortly after his arrival, he died of a heart attack in the ER.

James Woods said he decided to settle the suit after an executive of the hospital came up to him and personally apologized.

"It was all I ever needed to see, one human being saying to another human being 'I’m sorry for your loss,'" he said. "It makes it possible for me to go to my brother’s grave and ask if I’ve done the right thing.”

Contact Us