It’s the stuff of nightmares and horror stories: the dead rising from the grave.  On August 23, 2020, it happened in Michigan after a woman who was declared deceased by the responding EMS crew “woke up” in a funeral home.  Her case has been described as an instance of “Lazarus Syndrome”, or “autoresuscitation after failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation”, but was it this rare condition or negligence on the part of the providers?  Nick and Samantha discuss the family’s $50 million lawsuit against the City and the providers and examine the clinical and legal issues around patients presumed to be deceased.  Please like, comment, and subscribe!    

Links:  

Erika Lattimore, as Guardian of Timesha Beauchamp, An Incapacitated Person v. City of Southfield, Michael Storms, Scott Rickard, Phillip Mulligan, and Jake Kroll, In Their Individual Capacity, Jointly And Severally, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Civil Action File No. 2:20-cv-12738, filed October 8, 2020.  Complaint available at: http://www.firelawblog.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/10/US_DIS_MIED_2_20cv12738_COMPLAINT_filed_by_All_Plaintiffs_against_All_Defe.pdf

Michael Storms, Scott Rickard, Phillip Mulligan, and Jake Kroll v. Oakland County Medical Control Authority et al., United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Civil Action File No. 4:20-cv-12457, filed September 8, 2020.

Katherine Mims Crocker, Qualified Immunity, Sovereign Immunity, and Systemic Reform, 71 Duke L.J. 1701-1780 (2022), available at: https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/dlj/vol71/iss8/1

Hutchinson, D. and MacDonald, M., (2020, September 16, updated 2020, October 19), “She’s Still Breathing”: Hear 911 Call From Moment Workers Realized Southfield Woman Declared Dead Was Alive, ClickOnDetroit https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/09/16/shes-still-breathing-hear-911-call-from-workers-realized-southfield-woman-declared-dead-was-alive/

Kaur, H. et al., (2020, October 20), Family of Woman Who Died Weeks After She Was Found Alive at a Funeral Home Sues Paramedics For $50 Million, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/20/us/timesha-beauchamp-dies-lawsuit-trnd

McEvoy, M., (2019, June 21), “Dead Wrong”, EMS1.com https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/medical-monitoring/articles/dead-wrong-RXW3893p2D3u8R3T/

Varone, K. (host). (2020, September 13).  Interview With Attorney For Disciplined Michigan Firefighters In Mistaken Death Pronouncement (No. 35) [Audio podcast episode]. Fire Law Blog. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-episode-35-interview-with-attorney-for/id876773998?i=1000491102861

White, E., (2020, December 10), Paramedics Who Wrongly Pronounced Timesha Beauchamp 'Dead' Can Regain Licenses, Detroit Free Press https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/12/10/timesha-beauchamp-paramedics-regain-licenses/3883480001/

WXYZ Detroit, (2020, October 8), Fieger Files $50 Million Lawsuit in Case of Woman Found Alive After Being Pronounced Dead, https://www.wxyz.com/news/fieger-files-50-million-lawsuit-in-case-of-woman-found-alive-after-being-pronounced-dead

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FAST25 | May 19-21, 2025 | Lexington, KY

🔥 FAST25 is back—bigger, bolder, and hotter than ever! 🔥

This isn’t just another conference—a high-energy, immersive experience for pre-hospital and critical care transport pros. Expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and unfiltered discussions will take your practice to the next level.

🚀 New for 2025: The Creator Festival – Featuring “Burnt Ones,” a spicy take on Hot Ones, where top EMS creators tackle scorching hot wings while answering the most challenging questions in the industry. Expect live demos, interactive exhibits, and big-name influencers sharing their insight in a way you won’t find anywhere else.

Plus, a killer vendor experience, special guests, catered lunches, and after-hours events that make networking effortless and enjoyable. FAST25 is where it all happens.

📍 Central Bank Center | Lexington, KY
🏨 Hilton Lexington/Downtown (special rates available!)
🎟️ Tickets are limited—grab yours now: flightbridgeed.com/fast25