Michigan Court Reversed Immunity in COVID-19 Lawsuit

The ruling limits legal protections for a health facility regarding negligence claims from the early pandemic.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in COVID-19

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a medical building facade, evoking the institutional nature of state legal proceedings. — The Michigan Court of Appeals narrowed the legal immunity available to medical facilities for negligence claims during the early COVID-19 pandemic. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a trial court decision that granted a health care facility immunity under the Pandemic Health Care Immunity Act. The appellate court found no evidence linking alleged negligence between March 29 and April 14, 2020, to the pandemic response.

Why it matters

This decision clarifies the scope of pandemic-era legal protections for medical providers in Michigan. By requiring a specific connection to COVID-19 efforts for immunity, the court has narrowed the defense available to facilities facing malpractice litigation.

The legal action involves claims stemming from six separate patient admissions for the decedent, Frances Thomas. The appellate review consolidated proceedings under Docket Nos. 371166 and 374483.

The players

Michigan Court of Appeals

This is the intermediate appellate court in Michigan that reviews decisions from the trial courts.

Frances Thomas

She was the patient who received medical treatment during six separate admissions at the defendant facility.

The details

The court evaluated whether specific injuries were sustained as a direct result of care provided in support of Michigan's COVID-19 response. Following the reversal, the case has been remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

February 22, 2020 - June 21, 2020: Frances Thomas had six admissions at the facility.
March 29, 2020 - April 14, 2020: Period where the court ruled immunity was incorrectly granted.
March 29, 2020 - July 14, 2020: Full period the trial court originally cited for immunity.
May 28, 2020 - June 21, 2020: Period covering claims identified as lacking immunity.

The Big Picture

The ruling provides a critical interpretation of the Pandemic Health Care Immunity Act, setting a precedent for how Michigan courts assess liability protections during the state of emergency.

This ruling impacts how patients and families in Michigan can seek legal recourse for medical negligence during the early pandemic period. It establishes that medical facilities must prove a direct link to COVID-19 services to qualify for statutory immunity.

The takeaway

Patients pursuing claims against medical providers should note that pandemic-era immunity is not an absolute shield for all care provided during that time. Legal counsel can help determine if specific incidents qualify for the narrow immunity protections established by the state.