A devastating incident in Troy, Michigan, involving a hyperbaric oxygen chamber explosion has resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy and severe injuries to his mother. Thomas Cooper was undergoing treatment for ADHD and sleep apnea at The Oxford Center on January 31st when the tragedy occurred. His mother, Annie Cooper, was in the waiting area and rushed to save her son when she heard something was wrong, sustaining significant burns in the process.
The family's attorney, James Harrington of Fieger Law, is investigating the incident and believes The Oxford Center may have been understaffed and ill-equipped to handle such an emergency. He contends that the center promoted hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, despite a lack of scientific backing. Harrington plans to file a lawsuit against the center.
According to Johns Hopkins, hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, typically used for conditions like decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and specific types of wounds. The Oxford Center's website describes the therapy as an alternative treatment that can improve concentration, communication, working memory, and sleep. However, Harrington argues that such facilities often prey on desperate families seeking solutions for their loved ones, offering treatments not fully supported by medical research.
He further points out the lack of regulation for hyperbaric chambers in Michigan, unlike some other states. The Oxford Center has not responded to requests for comment. Thomas Cooper's obituary remembers him as a curious, energetic, and smart child who loved running, jumping, and attending preschool. He aspired to be a chef so he could cook with his parents.
