A lawsuit has been filed alleging that failures by staff at a federally managed health center resulted in serious injury to a patient, raising questions about standards of care at government-operated medical facilities. The complaint was submitted by Aaliyah Murray through her attorneys, Essner & Kobin, LLP, on March 12, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the United States of America.
According to court documents, Murray is a resident of Bronx County, New York. She alleges that from May 23 to May 27, 2024, she received medical care and treatment at Morris Heights Health Center, Inc., located at 1095 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The facility is described as being owned, operated, managed, maintained, controlled, and supervised by the United States of America through its agents and employees. The suit names Morris Heights Health Center and Dr. Nwamaka Ugokwe as involved parties under federal oversight.
The complaint states that on July 30, 2025, Murray presented an administrative tort claim to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding her treatment but did not receive any denial or decision after more than six months had passed. This lack of response forms part of the basis for bringing the matter before federal court under jurisdiction provided by Title 28 of the United States Code Section 1346(b).
Murray’s allegations focus on what she describes as negligent acts during her care for an ectopic pregnancy. She claims that the defendant’s agents failed to act according to accepted standards of medical practice in several ways: failing to properly diagnose and treat her right tubal ectopic pregnancy; failing to prevent or causing rupture of her right fallopian tube; not recognizing symptoms such as pelvic pain and abnormal pregnancy indicators; neglecting necessary diagnostic tests; misinterpreting test results; inadequately performing or interpreting transvaginal ultrasounds; misdiagnosing her condition as a miscarriage; and failing to take measures such as prescribing Methotrexate or performing surgery when appropriate.
The complaint further asserts that these alleged failures resulted in “serious and severe personal injuries” including rupture and loss of use of her right fallopian tube—severely impacting her ability to conceive—unnecessary surgery and hospitalization, permanent pain and suffering, emotional trauma, mental anguish, additional expenses, and loss of enjoyment of life. It states: “The aforesaid injuries were caused wholly and solely by the carelessness, negligence, and malpractice of Defendant… without any negligence or want of care on the part of plaintiff AALIYAH MURRAY contributing thereto.”
Murray demands a trial by jury on all issues raised in the complaint. She seeks judgment against the United States for $8 million in damages together with interest and costs.
The filing is verified by Jason M. Kobin of Essner & Kobin LLP based on information contained within communications and records related to Murray’s case file. The case is identified as Civil Action No: 1:26-CV-2033.
Source: 126cv02033_Aaliyah_Murray_v_United_States_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
