State says no discipline in intubation of body in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — None of the Bellingham Fire Department employees involved in the intubation of a man's body will be disciplined by the Washington State Department of Health, but the department said it will examine its policies and consider changes.

Department of Health spokesperson Jessica Baggett told The Bellingham Herald they closed the cases without disciplinary action because there was no violation determined.

Fire department employees admitted performing "tube checks" on the body of Bradley Ginn Sr. at Station 1 on July 31, 2018. His body was waiting to be picked up to be taken to a funeral home.

Twelve employees were disciplined by the fire department and policies were clarified to ban training on patients who die.

Family of the deceased man filed three claims for damages seeking over $15.5 million from the city of Bellingham. Two of the claims were settled for $150,000.