A Fulton County jury in Georgia has awarded $2.25 million to the parents of a baby who suffered a tragic death during delivery. The case gained widespread attention not only due to the horrific circumstances surrounding the baby’s passing but also because the parents’ grief was compounded by the sharing of autopsy images on social media without their consent.
Treveon Taylor and Jessica Ross, the child’s parents, received $2 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages from Dr. Jackson Gates, the pathologist responsible for posting video content of the baby’s postmortem examination, along with Medical Diagnostic Choices in Atlanta. They filed their lawsuit in September 2023, citing invasion of privacy, fraud, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In a statement from the family’s attorneys, they expressed relief that the jury held Dr. Gates accountable for “reprehensible behavior,” but stressed that no legal ruling could alleviate the profound sorrow inflicted on the parents by the death of their son.
The baby was already deceased at birth on July 10, 2023, with Ross contracting Gates for an autopsy on July 12. According to the lawsuit, both verbal and contractual agreements prohibited Gates from sharing images of the autopsy. Nonetheless, he uploaded multiple graphic videos of the examination on his Instagram, depicting the decapitated baby. Although the original account has been taken down, Gates maintains another platform on YouTube, where he continues to share similar content.
After the initial liability findings, Gates defended his actions in March 2024, claiming he did not breach the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). His justification was based on a provision allowing physicians to disclose information to the public regarding health safety concerns.
The couple’s anguish was further deepened by their experiences during labor. They have also filed suit against Southern Regional Medical Center and obstetrician Dr. Tracey St. Julian. The legal action accuses St. Julian of employing excessive force during delivery when the baby was unable to descend properly due to shoulder dystocia. Claims state that after the couple requested a Cesarean section, they were instructed to continue pushing for three hours, ultimately leading to a delayed emergency C-section that resulted in the child’s death.
Southern Regional Medical Center has denied all allegations of negligence, proclaiming that the infant’s death occurred in utero and was not caused by their actions. In February 2024, the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office classified the baby’s death as a homicide due to criminal actions, citing injuries to the cervical vertebrae as the cause.
Both the medical personnel and the facility have yet to provide comments on the latest developments in this tragic case.
This verdict underscores the complexities surrounding medical ethics, patient rights, and the profound impact that healthcare decisions can have on families. It also illustrates the need for stricter guidelines regarding the postmortem handling of sensitive cases, ensuring that families are respected during their most vulnerable moments.