Five-year-old Thomas Cooper died in a hyperbaric chamber fire at an alternative medicine facility in Michigan. The state attorney general stated that the facility prioritized profit over safety and operated the chamber in a hazardous manner. The investigation revealed negligent practices, such as failing to perform maintenance checks, lacking a safety supervisor on site, and not using essential safety measures. The facility did not have a grounding strap for Thomas. The attorney general accused the facility of providing unaccredited and unproven treatments using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Four people, including the facility owner, were arrested in connection with Thomas’ death, with three facing second-degree murder charges and one facing involuntary manslaughter. The family’s attorney plans to file a lawsuit against the facility. The FDA warns against unaccredited facilities promoting hyperbaric oxygen therapy for unproven health issues. The Oxford Center, where Thomas died, is not accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Despite the charges filed, the facility expressed disappointment and stated that the typical protocol after a fire-related accident had not yet been completed. The Brighton location of the facility, which offers various treatments including physical therapy and services for children with autism, is also under investigation. The FDA has cleared hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific conditions, emphasizing the importance of seeking treatment at accredited facilities.
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