A Detroit family sues Michigan City and its first responders for declaring a woman dead.
According to reports, the woman was declared dead by the responders.
The 20-year-old Detroit woman, Timesha Beauchamp, was already placed in a body bag. However, funeral staff saw that her chest was still moving that is why they called 911.
Timesha is now suffering from hypoxic brain damage.
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Detroit family sues the city and the first responders
On Thursday, October 9, the Detroit family filed a 50 million US dollars worth of lawsuit against the Detroit community and the first responders. Specifically, four responders were sued by the family.
According to the U.S. District Court Attorney in Detroit, Geoffrey Fieger, the 20-year-old Detroit woman was in the body bag and had no oxygen for four hours. Because of this, she suffered from hypoxic brain damage and is still in critical condition.
What happened to the Detroit woman?
The 20-year-old Detroit woman has cerebral palsy. On August 23, she experienced some serious breathing problems. Because of this, the Detroit family called 911.
The emergency medical technicians responded to the call.
Even if the doctor did not come to the scene, the doctor pronounced Timesha's death. According to reports, the Southfield hospital doctor did so because the first responders said that the Detroit woman was unresponsive for 30 minutes. Also, the responders said that Timesha was not showing any signs of life.
However, the Cole Funeral Home, where the 20-year-old Detroit girl was brought, noticed that her chest was still moving. That is why the funeral home called 911.
When she was pronounced dead the medical crew assured the family of the death.
The investigation
U.S. District Court Attorney Fieger said that this scenario could have been avoided if the responders were more careful.
The Fire Chief of Southfield, Johnny Menifee said that an investigation is already on the way.
Menifee also told the press that the 20-year-old Detroit could be alive because of the Lazarus Syndrome.
What is the Lazarus Syndrome?
According to the EMS1, the Lazarus Syndrome is the ROSC or the return of spontaneous circulation. This phenomenon happens even after the CPR has been stopped. It is also called the autoresuscitation.
Lazarus syndrome refers to people who suddenly come back to life without assistance.
The fire department of Southfield believes that this phenomenon could be the reason for the Detroit woman's condition.
The four people who were named in the lawsuit were Michael Storms, Scott Rickard, Phillip Mulligan, and Jake Kroll. Along with these four is the city of Southfield.
