Genevieve Lizotte, a University of Minnesota student, has filed a lawsuit against the university and HART Radius, the owner of the off-campus apartment building where she resided, alleging negligence after a severe sepsis infection nearly took her life. Following major knee surgery in April 2023, Lizotte became gravely ill and was left unattended for 16 hours in her apartment, despite reaching out for help. This oversight, she claims, led to her infection worsening, leaving her in a critical condition.
Lizotte’s ordeal began when she contacted the on-duty community adviser (CA) in the middle of the night, reporting severe symptoms and an inability to move. Despite her pleas for assistance, Lizotte alleges that the response was inadequate, leading to her prolonged suffering on the bathroom floor as her condition deteriorated. Her family, residing over two hours away, intervened the next day after failing to establish contact, leading to law enforcement’s discovery of Lizotte in a dire state.
Upon arrival, officers found Lizotte unconscious and seizing, with a life-threatening fever of 106 degrees, indicative of advanced sepsis. She was promptly hospitalized and slipped into a coma, undergoing eight surgeries during her eight-week hospital stay. The infection had severely impacted her heart, lungs, and brain, with her family being told to prepare for the worst.
The lawsuit also details a disturbing interaction with the Radius residence director during Lizotte’s hospitalization, revealing a lack of empathy and understanding of her critical condition. Lizotte is now seeking $50,000 in damages, arguing that the negligence and breach of contract by the university and HART Radius played a significant role in her near-fatal experience.
This case sheds light on the responsibilities of educational institutions and their affiliates to ensure the well-being of their students, especially those living in affiliated housing. Lizotte’s fight for justice not only seeks compensation for her suffering but also aims to highlight the importance of adequate support systems for students in crisis.