Earl Gehling, a student at St. George's University School of Medicine, collapsed and died after participating in a road race organized by students on campus in Grenada. While students provided some support during the race, the university claimed no responsibility. An autopsy found Gehling died from cardiac arrest likely induced by the heat and his physical condition. The court ruled St. George's University was not negligent and bore no liability as Gehling assumed the risks when he chose to participate in the race.
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Gehling v. St. George University
1. Gehling (P) vs. St. George University (D)
TRUE BLUE ROAD RACE
3. FACTS
Earl Gehring was a
student at St.
Georges University
School of Medicine
(SGU).
The road race was
organized by the
students at their own
initiative.
4. FACTS
The race took place in
Grenada in 85属F and
high humidity
SGU provided no
provisions, however the
students did provide
water, ice, towels, and
medical staff but no
ambulance.
5. Gehling was 25
years old, about
510, 75 lbs.
overweight, and
suffered from
hypertension
Before the race,
Gehling took
Ephedrine
6. FACTS
He collapsed after the
race and was attended
to immediately
An ambulance arrived
in 15 minutes to
transport him to St.
Georges General
Hospital
7. FACTS
Gehling was
pronounced dead at
12:45AM on April 19,
1982
No care by SGU
employees as
teachers or in any
other capacity
rendered care
8. FACTS
Heat Stroke is a
frequent fatal disorder
Gehling died from a
gastric ulcer
according to records
from Grenada
9. FACTS
Another autopsy was
performed and found
that Gehling died from
cardiac arrest
What induced the
health problem was
the race under
tropical conditions
10. NO NEGLIGENCE
SGU was
responsible for the
property, not the
runners
No employees that
rendered medical
treatment to Gehling
were employed by
SGU
11. NO CAUSATION
No connection
between the death
and the duty of
control
Death was caused
by Gehlings physical
condition/weather and
not malpractice
12. ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Elected to participate
Assumed all dangers
of the game
As a sixth year
student at a medical
school, in charge of
his own knowledge
and condition
13. NO LIABILITY FOR SGU
HOSPITAL
SGU General
Hospital is controlled
by Grenada not the
institution.
No proof of medical
malpractice or
negligence
14. CONCLUSION
No negligence by SGU/SGU General
Hospital
Death was caused by assumption of risk
Gehling was knowledgeable of his physical
condition, weather, and medicine
No proof of medical malpractice or
negligence by SGU General Hospital at the
end of the race and the hospital
Editor's Notes
#2: http://2010.ezabu.com/files/2010/09/roadrace.jpg
Hello everyone, my name is Jonathan Luszcz and I am going to present the case, Gehling vs. St. George University.
#3: http://community.planetjh.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/supremecourtphoto-20061.jpg
The case was decided in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on February 6, 1989. The plaintiff is the mother of the deceased Earl Gehring and the defendant is St. Georges University School of Medicine.
#4: http://www.goabroad.com.tw/sgu/stgmedlogob1.gif
http://media.mlive.com/flintjournal/runners/photo/webfli100409run3jpg-79e4d08285cf2965.jpg
Earl Gehring was in a sixth year as a medical student at St. georges University School of Medicine in the Caribbean nation of Grenada. The students run a bi-annual road race.
#5: http://www.mipueblonatal.com/images/granada-flag.gif
The race took place in the afternoon on an April day in approximately 85 degree heat with high humidity. St. Georges University sponsored the event but did not an ambulance nor provisions for the event. The students did provide provisions and a medical staff but no ambulance.
#6: Gehling was 25 years old, about 510, and 75 lbs. overweight. He also suffered from hypertension. Before the race, he took Ephedrine which increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
#7: http://www.bcffa.org/departments/bexarmetro911/911.GIF
At the end of the 2.5 mile race he fell. He tried to stand up again but continued to fall. Gehling eventually became hysteric and was necessary for him to be restrained. They attempt to cool him down with water and towels soaked in ice. He eventually is taken by an ambulance and delivered to St. Georges General Hospital
#8: http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/03/19/kate_smythe_narrowweb__300x358,2.jpg
Gehling was pronounced dead later on during his stay at the hospital. At the hospital no care was taken by employees as teachers.
#9: http://www.mytranslationspot.com/images/Medical%20Records.jpg
According to medical experts, heat stroke is a frequent fatal disorder. An autopsy report found that Gehling died from a gastric ulcer.
#10: http://www.patentbaristas.com/archives/heat.jpeg
When Gehling was flown back to the States, another autopsy was performed. These doctors concluded that Gehling died from cardiac arrest. The doctors said that Gehlings health, weather, and medications induced the cardiac arrest.
#11: http://revjavadude.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/light-tunnel-01.jpg?w=490
What the judge concluded is that St. georges is responsible for the property where the road race took place, not the event. Also, none of the treatment that was rendered was employed by St. Georges. Therefore, there was no negligence by St. Georges
#12: http://rlv.zcache.com/correlation_does_not_imply_causation_card-p137852165338061542qi0i_400.jpg
The plaintiff failed to validate any connection between the death of Gehling and the duty of control by SGU. Gehlings death was found to be caused by his physical condition, weather, and medication. Not malpractice, therefore there was no causation found.
#13: http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/images/caution-degree.jpg
Gehling elected to participate in the event and was not pressured to do so. As a participant of the road race, he assumes all the dangers that come with the road race including the risk of heat stroke. Also, as a six-year medical student. He has the knowledge of the effects of Ephedrine on a high blood pressure human in unfavorable conditions. Therefore, Gehling assumes the risk of the road race.
#14: http://cassandrasecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/accountability1.jpg
Finally, St. Georges Unijversity has no liability for Gehling. St. Georges Hospital is controlled by the government of Grenada. The institution has one member who sits on the board. The school uses the hospital to train its students but does not control the hospital. Therefore, the school cannot be held liable for medical malpractice by any persons employed by the hospital.
#15: To conclude, no negligence was found by the institution/hospital. The death of Gehling is under his own risk and he was knowledgeable of his risks of his physical condition, weather, and medication he took. Finally, there is no valid proof of medical malpractice, negligence, or liability found by the hospital or the institution.