Overview

• The family of Otis Adkinson, an 80-year-old EMT supervisor, filed a lawsuit against Harrison-Ross Mortuary in Compton, California, on May 15, claiming negligence and breach of contract.
• Relatives discovered a stranger’s body dressed in Adkinson’s clothes during an April viewing, prompting hours of delay to correct the mistake.
• The mortuary initially dismissed the family’s concerns, insisting the body was correct until photographic proof forced an admission of error, according to the lawsuit.
• The lawsuit details the family’s ongoing emotional trauma, including grief, anxiety, and humiliation, stemming from the incident.
• Harrison-Ross Mortuary denies the allegations, plans to issue a cease-and-desist letter, and faces calls for improved industry standards and accountability.