Michigan EMTs Settle $3.25M Wrongful Death Case

The family of 20-year-old Timesha Beauchamp has reached a $3.25 million settlement with four emergency medical technicians and paramedics who mistakenly declared her dead in 2020, according to recent filings in Michigan state court. Beauchamp, who had cerebral palsy, was discovered breathing inside a body bag at a funeral home shortly after being pronounced dead by Southfield Fire Department personnel.

The events unfolded when Beauchamp’s mother called 911, reporting that her daughter was unresponsive. Responding EMTs performed CPR and other life-saving measures before discontinuing efforts. They then declared Beauchamp deceased, reportedly after contacting a physician for authorization. Family members alleged that they observed signs of life — including breathing and a pulse — but were reassured by EMTs that the movements were side effects of medication.

According to court filings, the EMTs contacted the medical examiner’s office and directed the family to arrange for funeral services. When funeral home staff arrived, they noticed Beauchamp’s chest moving and questioned whether she was deceased. Despite this, Beauchamp was transported to the facility in a body bag. Upon arrival, workers discovered she was alive and gasping for air.

Medical Consequences and Subsequent Death

Beauchamp was immediately transported to a hospital, where she was treated for severe injuries. She suffered respiratory failure, brain injury, and septic shock, which her estate later argued were directly caused or worsened by the premature declaration of death and improper cessation of care. Beauchamp remained hospitalized for nearly two months before dying from complications related to the incident.

The family’s wrongful death complaint asserted that the paramedics and EMTs — identified as Michael Storms, Scott Rickard, Phillip Mulligan, and Jake Kroll — violated medical protocols and acted negligently by discontinuing resuscitation without a physician’s explicit approval. The lawsuit further alleged that false information was conveyed to the on-call physician to secure authorization to pronounce death.

Procedural History and Legal Rulings

The litigation, filed in 2023, proceeded through several rounds of motions and appeals. Oakland County Circuit Judge Nanci J. Grant initially dismissed the case in its entirety, but a Michigan Court of Appeals panel later reinstated the claims against the EMTs, ruling that further discovery could clarify whether their actions contributed to Beauchamp’s injuries or death. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of two Southfield police officers originally named in the complaint, finding they played no role in the medical decisions at issue.

Pretrial proceedings were paused in September 2025 while the defendants pursued appeals challenging Judge Grant’s earlier rulings denying summary disposition and several evidentiary motions. These appeals were dismissed this week, clearing the way for settlement negotiations to move forward.

Settlement Terms and Distribution

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, the EMTs will collectively pay $3.25 million to Beauchamp’s estate. The distribution plan allocates approximately $1 million to the estate’s legal counsel, Fieger Fieger Kenney & Harrington PC, pursuant to a contingency fee agreement. The firm will also be reimbursed $142,000 for litigation expenses. The remainder of the settlement will be distributed to the estate in accordance with probate court directives once judicial approval is granted.

The motion for settlement approval highlights the significant emotional and financial impact on Beauchamp’s family and the protracted nature of the litigation. It seeks judicial authorization to finalize the distribution plan and dismiss the case with prejudice.

Broader Legal and Procedural Implications

The case underscores the critical importance of adherence to medical field protocols in emergency situations, particularly regarding declarations of death. The Court of Appeals’ earlier decision emphasized that negligence claims involving emergency responders can proceed when factual questions remain about causation or standard-of-care compliance.

Although Michigan’s governmental immunity statutes provide some protection to public employees, this settlement reflects the legal exposure first responders may face when procedural deviations lead to catastrophic outcomes. The incident also raises broader questions about training, oversight, and the documentation of pre-hospital medical decisions.

Case Details

Case Name: Howard Linden v. Michael Storms et al.
Court Name: Michigan Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Oakland County)
Case Number: 2023-199683-NO
Plaintiff Attorney(s): Fieger Fieger Kenney & Harrington PC
Defense Attorney(s): Seward Henderson PLLC