Hospital settles $450K wrongful death suit, denies liability

A $450,000 wrongful death lawsuit settlement has been made by Winchester Medical Center to the family of an 84-year-old woman who died last year, about two months after being admitted to the hospital. The hospital and Valley Health System, a six-hospital, nonprofit chain that includes Winchester Medical Center, were sued by Vicky Smith, the daughter of Alice Viola Pifer, an 84-year-old Gerrardstown, W.Va., resident.