Woman Declared Dead Wakes Up in Funeral Home Body Bag

A family has been awarded $3.25 million after their 20-year-old daughter, declared dead by paramedics, awoke inside a body bag at a funeral home. The settlement follows a lawsuit against the paramedic service. The young woman, Timesha Beauchamp, had cerebral palsy. In 2020, paramedics were called to her home after she was found unconscious. They performed medical checks for 30 minutes and pronounced her dead, citing the absence of vital signs. Her body was released to a funeral home. Hours later, as staff prepared for embalming, they saw her chest moving and her eyes open. She was gasping for air. The lawsuit argued the paramedics failed to provide adequate care. Medical experts stated that Beauchamp's breathing at the time may have been too shallow for the paramedics to detect. The condition, known as "agonal breathing," can occur during cardiac arrest. The $3.25 million settlement avoids a trial. The young woman remains in need of 24-hour care following the incident.