The family of Conor Hylton, a University of Connecticut dental student, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus following his death in August 2024.

According to the lawsuit filed last month, Hylton died while in an intensive care unit that was overseen remotely by a physician using telemedicine technology rather than having a physical doctor present on-site.

The family alleges the hospital was negligent in not having a physical physician available in the ICU during Hylton's treatment. The lawsuit claims this remote oversight arrangement contributed to his death.

Telemedicine has become increasingly common in hospitals, particularly for specialty care and in facilities where maintaining 24-hour on-site physician coverage presents challenges. The practice allows doctors to monitor and treat patients from remote locations using video conferencing and electronic monitoring systems.

The case raises questions about the adequacy of remote medical supervision in intensive care settings, where patients typically require the most critical and immediate medical attention. ICU patients often need rapid interventions that may require physical presence of medical staff.

The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death, though specific monetary amounts were not disclosed in the available court filings. The hospital has not publicly responded to the allegations.