A doctor has found himself at the center of a legal battle after a couple accused him of sharing appalling content on social media involving their deceased newborn. Dr. Jackson Gates, associated with Medical Diagnostic Choices, faced a lawsuit initiated by Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. in September following a tragic incident.
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The dispute centered around Baby Isaiah, the son of Ross and Taylor, who tragically passed away during childbirth in July 2023. The grieving parents sought the services of Dr. Gates for an independent autopsy, seeking answers about their baby’s untimely death. However, their quest for closure turned into a nightmare when Dr. Gates allegedly posted disturbing videos from the autopsy on social media platforms without the consent or knowledge of the parents. These posts were described as “graphic and grisly,” exposing the sensitive procedure to the public eye.
In an update on Thursday, a Fulton County judge ruled against Dr. Gates and his company by granting a default judgment. This decision came after Gates and Medical Diagnostic Choices failed to address the lawsuit and were held accountable for causing intentional emotional distress, violating privacy, and engaging in fraudulent practices. Although the court did not fully get into the specifics of the claims, it set the stage for a bench trial to ascertain the financial damages due to the parents. According to NBC News, Dr Gates claimed that the disclosures did not breach the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). He argued that the act allows healthcare professionals to inform the public about safety concerns, claiming, “This baby was murdered.” Gates emphasized his longstanding practice of publicizing autopsy findings to highlight the victimization of deceased individuals.
“I have not violated HIPAA, it is not required by a physician to get consent to report a crime or some sort of health issue to the public. I’ve been doing this for 15 years, publishing my autopsy cases to explain to the public the victimization of those persons who have died.”
Despite Gates’ defense, the legal documents reveal a different narrative. Ross and Taylor engaged Dr. Gates for Baby Isaiah’s autopsy on July 12, 2023, for a fee of $2,500. This agreement did not authorize the public release of any autopsy-related materials. Yet, Gates posted a particularly explicit video on July 14 and followed up with additional footage on July 21, leading to profound distress for the parents upon discovering these posts. To halt the dissemination of the videos, the parents’ legal representatives issued a cease and desist letter to Dr. Gates in August. Adding to the complexity, the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Baby Isaiah’s death was a homicide caused by a spinal injury.
The sorrowful event also implicated the hospital and the obstetrician involved in the delivery, with Ross and Taylor alleging that delivery complications led to their son’s death. The hospital, Southern Regional Medical Center, refuted any misconduct, clarifying that the tragic demise occurred before delivery.