> At a Glance
> – A Michigan city approved a $3.25 million settlement with the family of Timesha Beauchamp, who was incorrectly declared dead in August 2020
> – The 20-year-old, who had cerebral palsy, spent two months on life support before dying from brain damage her attorneys say was caused by oxygen deprivation
> – The case sparked a $50 million lawsuit against Southfield EMS Paramedics and years of legal battles
> – Why it matters: The payout closes a high-profile case that exposed flaws in emergency protocols during the pandemic’s chaos
A Michigan city has agreed to pay $3.25 million to the family of Timesha Beauchamp, the young woman who was mistakenly declared dead only to be discovered breathing at a funeral home in August 2020.
How the Error Unfolded
Paramedics responding to Beauchamp’s Southfield home pronounced her dead by phone with an emergency-room doctor. Staff at the funeral home found her eyes open and still breathing when they prepared to embalm her body.
She spent the next 60 days in intensive care before dying in October 2020.
- Age at time of incident: 20
- Underlying condition: Cerebral palsy
- Cause of death cited by attorneys: Massive brain damage from prolonged oxygen loss
Legal Fight and Final Settlement
Attorney Geoffrey Fieger of Fieger Law said the family sued Southfield EMS for $50 million, alleging paramedics ignored signs of life. After prolonged litigation, city leaders approved the $3.25 million payout.
> Fieger Law stated:
> “After years of hard-fought litigation, we were able to achieve justice for Timesha and her family.”
City officials released a statement through News Of Los Angeles:
> “We recognize that no resolution can undo the profound tragedy that occurred on August 23, 2020, or ease the pain experienced by Ms. Beauchamp’s family. The City respects the judicial process and believes that the complexity of these issues and the emotional impact on all parties made resolution through settlement appropriate at this time.”
Key Takeaways
- The settlement closes a nearly four-year legal battle
- Beauchamp’s mother previously vowed to pursue justice “however long it takes”
- Officials cited pandemic-era pressures as context for the misdiagnosis
- The city maintains that responders followed established protocols
While the payout ends litigation, attorneys for the family emphasize the outcome is bittersweet-offering closure but no way to reverse the fatal mistake.
