Southfield, Michigan, agreed to a $3.25 million settlement with the family of Timesha Beauchamp, a 20-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who was mistakenly pronounced dead by paramedics in 2020. The incident occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when EMTs responded to a 911 call, attempted resuscitation unsuccessfully, and transported her body to a funeral home, only for an embalmer to discover she was alive. Beauchamp was rushed back to a hospital, placed on a ventilator, and lived for six more weeks before succumbing to a brain injury.
Legal Proceedings
The family sued Southfield and the EMTs for gross negligence and constitutional violations, alleging the premature death declaration prevented further care. A U.S. appeals court granted qualified immunity to the EMTs on federal claims in 2023, but a Michigan appeals court revived the state gross negligence suit in July 2024, citing premature dismissal before discovery on causation issues. Claims against responding police officers were dismissed, as they did not handle her medical care.
Family and City Statements
Beauchamp’s family attorney described the settlement as justice, noting she was placed in an avoidable dire situation. The city acknowledged the profound tragedy amid pandemic complexities but emphasized no resolution could undo the pain. The case highlights risks in emergency protocols during crises.
