A recent court ruling in Georgia has found Dr. Jackson Gates, along with his business, Medical Diagnostic Choices, liable in a civil lawsuit filed by Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. This lawsuit was in response to allegations that Dr. Gates had posted videos of the couple’s decapitated newborn on social media without their consent.
The legal action stemmed from the tragic events surrounding the death of the couple’s baby, referred to as Baby Isaiah, during delivery in July 2023. Following the delivery, the couple engaged Dr. Gates to conduct an independent autopsy on their child. However, they claim that without their knowledge or authorization, Dr. Gates posted distressing videos of the autopsy on social media.
A Fulton County judge issued a default judgment against Dr. Gates and his business after they failed to respond to the civil suit. The ruling held them accountable for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and fraud. It’s important to note that the specific merits of the claims within the suit were not adjudicated; a bench trial will determine the damages owed to the parents.
Despite the legal ramifications, Dr. Gates asserted that his actions did not breach the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), contending that as a physician, he had the right to inform the public about healthcare safety issues. He argued that his disclosure was necessary, alleging that the baby’s death was a result of foul play.
The complaint alleges that Dr. Gates initially shared a video on Instagram depicting the postmortem examination in graphic detail just days after the autopsy. Subsequently, more videos from the examination were posted, causing profound distress to the parents upon discovery. Their legal representatives sent a cease and desist letter to Dr. Gates in August, urging the removal of the videos.
The tragic circumstances of Baby Isaiah’s death were further complicated by findings from the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled it as a homicide. This ruling attributed the infant’s death to actions by another person, specifically noting a fracture of cervical vertebrae in the spine.
In addition to their legal action against Dr. Gates, Ross and Taylor filed a separate lawsuit against the hospital and obstetrician involved in the delivery. The hospital denied allegations of wrongdoing, stating that the infant’s death occurred in utero prior to delivery.
The outcome of these legal proceedings underscores the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding medical practices and patient privacy rights, particularly in the age of social media dissemination.
