Friedman Schuman Layser Serves Aramark With Wrongful Death Suit in Pennsylvania
Friedman Schuman Layser attorneys, Brett J. Kaminsky, Esq. and Katherine Lekh, Esq. recently filed a wrongful death suit against Philadelphia-based Aramark in Pennsylvania Federal Court. The complaint alleges that multiple Aramark personnel witnessed a medical emergency, but did nothing to help, resulting in the tragic and preventable death of a 37-year-old man.
Zachary’s Story: A Tragic Medical Emergency Ignored
Zachary Graff was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen living in China with his wife. Zachary suffered from chronic knee pain and on May 7, 2023, he walked into Gulou Hospital, a facility that contracted with Aramark to provide cleaning and security services, to refill his pain prescription. He took the medication while heading to another clinic within the hospital and began to have difficulty walking, Zachary then sat down in a chair next to an escalator on the fourth floor, in clear view of any personnel walking by.
For 15 hours, Zachary remained in that chair, unresponsive and struggling to breathe. During this time, over 10 Aramark employees walked past Zachary. Video footage shows Aramark custodians cleaning around him and security guards walking right by him, looking at him, picking up his phone charger, and even attempting to engage with him—one security guard in particular went up to him on three separate occasions telling him to “stop sleeping”, receiving no response from Zachary. Despite Zachary sitting in the same chair, visibly in medical distress, not one Aramark employee alerted medical personnel to check on him, informed their supervisors or colleagues, or told anyone at all. After their shifts, Aramark employees locked Zachary on the fourth floor, shut off the lights, and left him to suffer all alone.
When Zachary’s wife was unable to reach him for hours, she tracked him down at the hospital, arriving at 11 p.m. that evening only to be refused entry by Aramark personnel, claiming they cleared the area and no one was inside. Only once she enlisted the help of police and watched hours of video surveillance footage in an effort to find Zachary’s exact location, did Aramark allow her access to the locked area to get to him. She found him at around 2:15 a.m. on May 8, 2023, and he was transferred to an emergency room, but it was too late – Zachary Graff had passed away.
How Aramark’s Negligence Led To Wrongful Death
The lawsuit alleges that Aramark’s staff failed in their most basic duty of care: to recognize and respond to an obvious medical emergency. Had Aramark staff simply alerted hospital personnel about Zachary, he would still be alive.
Instead, video surveillance footage shows a shocking indifference to Zachary. Despite his labored breathing and complete unresponsiveness, Aramark employees ignored him, worked around him, and ultimately locked him inside the hospital overnight. When his wife came searching, Aramark security guards delayed her further, insisting she review video surveillance footage before being allowed to look for her husband in the hospital.
Our Firm’s Lawsuit Against Aramark
Our firm filed a lawsuit against Aramark and several of their subsidiaries on behalf of Mr. Graff and his grieving family. We are seeking damages due to Philadelphia-based Aramark’s negligent hiring, training, and supervision practices. While the case was initially filed here in Philadelphia County, it was moved to Federal Court on May 29, 2025.
“This case is about systemic neglect that starts at Aramark’s headquarters, right here in Philadelphia,” lead attorney, Brett Kaminsky explains, “Aramark failed to ensure adequate staffing, training, and oversight, and unfortunately those failures cost a young man his life.”
Our personal injury attorneys, Brett Kaminsky and Katherine Lekh, will continue to pursue justice for Zachary and his family.
Fighting For Families Impacted By Wrongful Death
Friedman Schuman Layser serves families of wrongful death and other personal injury victims across the state of Pennsylvania. Our experienced team is here to help you and your family in your most difficult moments. While no one can undo such a devastating loss, we are here to fight for justice on your behalf. If your family has been affected by wrongful death, contact our team today for a complimentary consultation.