A 5-year-old boy tragically lost his life after a hyperbaric chamber exploded in a medical facility in Troy, Michigan, prompting his family to hire a prominent attorney to explore legal action. On the morning of February 2, 2025, emergency responders rushed to the Oxford Center medical facility, located in a suburban area just outside Detroit, after reports of an explosion. When police and fire crews arrived on the scene, they discovered that Thomas Cooper, the young boy, had died inside the hyperbaric chamber. His mother, who was nearby at the time, also sustained injuries.
The family of Thomas Cooper has since retained the services of well-known attorney Geoffrey Fieger, whose previous cases include representing families involved in major tragedies such as the 2021 Oxford High School mass shooting. Fieger, recognized for his involvement in high-profile legal matters, will lead the investigation into the explosion and assess the possibility of a lawsuit. His firm, Fieger Law, expressed its deepest condolences to the grieving family, emphasizing that the safety of children should always be the foremost concern in any medical treatment. The firm also confirmed it is investigating all aspects of the incident to determine what went wrong.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of hyperbaric chambers, particularly in medical settings that treat children. Hyperbaric chambers are used for a variety of medical purposes, including the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and certain inflammatory conditions. These chambers typically operate by delivering 100% oxygen, which can be highly combustible under certain conditions. While the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered safe when properly managed, the explosion highlights the need for rigorous oversight and regulation in the industry to ensure such tragic accidents do not occur again.
Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the explosion. At this stage, it remains unclear why Thomas Cooper was in the chamber, though it is known that the Oxford Center treats children with various health conditions using hyperbaric therapy. The center’s website states that its focus is on providing hyperbaric treatment for a variety of medical conditions, particularly for children. According to the facility’s leadership, it has been in operation for over 15 years, and this is the first reported incident of its kind.
In a statement issued by the center, Tami Peterson, the founder and CEO, expressed her heartbreak over the loss of Thomas Cooper and assured the public that the safety and wellbeing of the children the facility serves are top priorities. Peterson also emphasized that the center is fully cooperating with investigators as they try to uncover the reasons behind the explosion.
The devastating loss of young Thomas has prompted an outpouring of support from the community. A GoFundMe page set up in his memory has raised more than $40,000, with many donors expressing their grief and offering condolences to the family. The tribute on the fundraising page paints a picture of a bright, curious boy who loved reading, particularly books like James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His family described him as an energetic child who had just begun to explore his creative side, drawing pictures and keeping field journals. The page also shared a touching detail about Thomas’s last wish before his passing. On the day he died, he had planned to spend a Chinese red pocket, which he had placed under his pillow, with his little brother—a hopeful gesture for good luck in the new year.
The tragic incident has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with hyperbaric therapy, particularly in light of the fact that the Oxford Center has treated children for over a decade without any prior reported accidents. The ongoing investigation into what led to this tragic event will likely shed light on any potential safety lapses or regulatory gaps within the industry. For now, the Cooper family, who has suffered an unimaginable loss, is left to mourn the death of their beloved son while seeking justice and accountability.
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols in medical treatments, particularly when they involve vulnerable populations like children.
