Late ‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Brayden Smith’s Parents Sue Hospital For Malpractice

The parents of late Jeopardy! contestant Brayden Smith, 24, who unexpectedly died on February 2021, filed a lawsuit against Nevada physicians Godwin Ofikwu and Irfana Razzaq, as well as Dignity Health and St. Rose Dominican Hospital-San Martin Campus on the grounds of alleged negligence and malpractice.

The medical team at St. Rose Dominican Hospital failed to give Brayden anticoagulants, which is a type of blood thinner meant to prevent blood clots, following a January 2021 surgery to remove his colon, his parents allege.

About three weeks later, Brayden died of bilateral pulmonary emboli, multiple blockages in lung arteries caused by blood clots, the suit said. Now the Smiths are aiming to receive $15,000 punitive and compensatory damages, though specific details on those have yet to be shared.

Robert Murdock, an attorney for the Smith family, released a statement regarding why his clients are seeking legal restitution: “This case is not just about death. Brayden suffered before he died because the hospital, its nurses, and the home health nurse failed to teach and take care of this young man with a new ostomy.”

Jeopardy! paid tribute to the late champion and announced a donation in his honor back in May 2021.

“You’ve now met all 15 of the players who qualified for the Tournament of Champions-well, almost all,” Cohen said. “Brayden Smith, the incredible young man who won five shows and $115,000 in January, passed away earlier this year. Brayden’s family has established a fund in his name, and Jeopardy will be donating to that fund. We want to express our best wishes and condolences to his family.”

Debbie thanked Jeopardy! for paying tribute to her son on Twitter. “Our family is deeply touched by @Jeopardy’s ToC tribute to Brayden and its pledge to support the Brayden Smith Memorial Fund. What a formidable group of Champs. Brayden would feel honored to be counted among you.”