Family threatens to sue over malaria death

Dever, USA -- - When Carolyn Harper got home from a trip to Ghana last June, she wasn't feeling so good. According to legal documents, Harper went to a Montbello clinic run by Denver Health Medical Center, told them she was sick, told them she'd just returned from Africa and even told them she was afraid she might have malaria.

But according to documents filed on behalf of Harper's family, the doctors who treated her told her she had the flu, gave her Motrin and sent her home.

Less than three weeks later, Harper, 52, was dead.

Three days after Harper was buried, an employee of the Montbello clinic called her home to report that tests had come back positive for malaria.

Last month, Harper's family notified the Denver Health and Hospital Authority that they plan to sue over her death.

The hospital authority is investigating the case, according to a spokeswoman.

Harper's family could not be reached for comment.