4 Charged in Fatal Oakland County Hyperbaric Chamber Blast

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The owner and three employees of an Oakland County medical center where a 5-year-old boy died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion will stand trial, the Michigan Attorney General's Office announced. The boy's mother was also injured in the blast at the Oxford Center in Troy.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and oversight in medical facilities, especially when dealing with potentially dangerous equipment like hyperbaric chambers. The tragedy raises questions about the treatment of children and the responsibility of medical professionals.

The details

Prosecutors argue that more safety steps, such as using grounding straps to prevent sparks, could have prevented the explosion. They say the medical facility's officials ignored daily maintenance checks, annual safety inspections, and did not have a medical doctor or safety supervisor on site when the 5-year-old boy was undergoing treatment by a non-licensed technician. The boy was being treated for sleep apnea and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which prosecutors say are not approved conditions for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

• In January 2025, officials said 5-year-old Thomas Cooper was inside a hyperbaric chamber that exploded while receiving treatment at the Oxford Center in Troy.
• A pretrial date has not been set.

What they’re saying

What’s next

A pretrial date has not been set, but the case will proceed to trial where prosecutors will continue to pursue justice for Thomas Cooper and his family.