Neil Armstrong's family 'paid $6 million by hospital' after wrongful death claim

Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, died in 2012. His estate has received a $6 million payout from the hospital who performed his surgery.
NASA
Bonnie Christian24 July 2019

A hospital has paid the estate of astronaut Neil Armstrong $6 million in a confidential agreement over claims that post-surgery complications led to his death in 2012, according to court documents.

The settlement, made in 2014, went to 10 family members of the man who made history 50 years ago by becoming the first man to walk on the moon.

They included his two sons, sister, brother and six grandchildren, according to documents filed with the Hamilton County probate court in Cincinnati, which were reported by the New York Times.

His widow, Carol, did not receive any money in the settlement.

The 50th anniversary of Armstrong's first steps on the moon was celebrated on Saturday. He died on August 25, 2012.

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The settlement came after Armstrong's sons, Mark and Rick, claimed that care provided by Mercy Health-Fairfield Hospital cost their father his life.

The hospital defended its actions and the care Armstrong received but reportedly decided to pay the settlement to avoid a legal battle.

"The hospital, on behalf of itself and the health care providers, agreed to a confidential settlement of $6 million to avoid the publicity the Estate might have initiated on behalf of certain members of the family if settlement had not been reached," the document said.

Maureen Richmond, a hospital spokeswoman, declined to offer specifics on the matter, saying she was unable to discuss any individual's care.

In a statement she added: "The public nature of these details is very disappointing - both for our ministry and the patient's family who had wished to keep this legal matter private."

Carol Armstrong told the New York Times she signed off on the settlement in her role as executor but received no part of it.

Neil Armstrong was admitted to the hospital in August 2012 for vascular bypass surgery, according to motion filed by Carol Armstrong in September 2014 seeking to have the settlement approved.

He died a few days later.

"He underwent the cardiovascular surgery, but post-surgical complications arose and he subsequently died," the motion said.

Most of the settlement, about $5.2 million, was split between Armstrong's sons.

The astronaut's brother and sister each received $250,000, and six grandchildren each got $24,000. Attorneys' fees of $160,000 were awarded.

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