A King County jury delivered a unanimous $24 million verdict on February 27, 2026, in favor of the family of Michael Trujillo, a 62-year-old Colorado man who died after receiving a stem cell injection at the Seattle Stem Cell Center in 2019. The Seattle stem cell wrongful death verdict is one of the largest medical malpractice awards in Washington state in recent years and puts a national spotlight on the risks of unproven stem cell treatments marketed to desperate patients.
How a Colorado Electrician Ended Up at a Seattle Stem Cell Clinic
Michael Trujillo, a journeyman electrician from Westminster, Colorado, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017. As the progressive neurological disease advanced, Trujillo and his wife Carmen searched for treatment options and discovered the Seattle Stem Cell Center through its online marketing. The clinic promoted stem cell therapy for a range of serious medical conditions, including ALS.
After a free consultation, Trujillo underwent his first stem cell treatment in February 2019. He returned to the Seattle clinic in April 2019 for a second procedure.
"We flew to Seattle with hope, and I flew home alone," his widow, Carmen Trujillo, told jurors during the trial.
The Procedure That Took His Life
Evidence presented at trial showed that during the second visit, stem cells were injected into Trujillo's spine without imaging guidance while he was taking blood-thinning medication. According to trial testimony, the combination caused catastrophic bleeding and brain herniation, leading to Trujillo's death.
Dr. Tami Meraglia, owner of the Seattle Stem Cell Center, told KIRO Newsradio that she did not personally treat the patient. She said a different doctor at the clinic performed the procedure and changed the treatment plan from an IV administration to an epidural injection without consulting her, while the patient had high blood pressure and was on blood thinners.
The clinic closed in 2021.
A Unanimous Jury and a Courtroom Full of Emotion
The King County jury returned a unanimous verdict, though unanimity is not required in Washington civil cases. Carmen Trujillo delivered her testimony on what would have been the couple's 46th wedding anniversary.
After the verdict was read, jurors lined up to embrace Carmen.
"They just were such a blessing. They were smiling. They were so happy for us. It was just one big celebration," she told KIRO Newsradio.
Plaintiff's attorney Dylan Cohon of Swanson Gardner Meyers Cohon PLLC said the verdict carries a broader message for the stem cell treatment industry.
"This verdict is about justice, compensation, and accountability," Cohon said. "Medical providers who market treatments to vulnerable patients need to be honest about whether there is any scientific evidence that the treatments will work."
A Pattern of Legal Trouble for the Clinic
This was not the first legal action involving Dr. Meraglia and her clinic. In 2022, the Washington Attorney General filed a separate Consumer Protection Act lawsuit against US Stemology and Dr. Meraglia, alleging deceptive marketing of unproven stem cell treatments. That case resulted in an $800,000 judgment and permanent marketing restrictions.
Despite the verdict, Dr. Meraglia indicated she intends to appeal, citing legal rulings made before and during trial that she believes prevented the jury from hearing all of her evidence.
"We're disappointed in today's verdict, and our hearts go out to everyone," she told KIRO Newsradio. "A man lost his life. Even though it was many years ago, it's still very sad."
What This Seattle Stem Cell Wrongful Death Verdict Signals
The $24 million verdict underscores the legal exposure facing clinics that market unproven medical treatments to patients with serious or terminal diagnoses. For plaintiff attorneys, the case highlights the power of combining wrongful death claims with evidence of deceptive marketing practices, particularly when a clinic has a documented regulatory history.
For families affected by medical negligence, verdicts like this one show what juries are willing to award when the evidence is strong and the attorney is prepared. Find a plaintiff lawyer on Major Verdict who has the trial record to back it up, or browse the latest verdict news from courtrooms across the country.
