On Aug. 28, 2025, a federal judge rejected efforts by plaintiffs Greg and Gayle Shugars to overturn a jury’s verdict in favor of Taft client Aspen Valley Hospital, Dawn Kopf, P.A. and its emergency nursing team on claims that they committed medical negligence and violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). EMTALA is a federal civil rights act enacted to ensure that those who need emergency medical care are not denied treatment.

In August 2017, Mr. Shugars suffered an above-the-knee amputation in Denver due to an arterial clot. The day before, Mr. Shugars was urgently transported to, and received treatment from, Aspen Valley Hospital for reported leg pain and other symptoms. Mr. Shugars was discharged after his symptoms resolved during Aspen Valley Hospital’s medical screening exam, and he declined further recommended testing.  After nine days of evidence, the jury returned a verdict finding that the care team at Aspen Valley Hospital provided appropriate care to Mr. Shugars and complied with EMTALA.

The trial highlighted the important role of EMTALA in the delivery of care in the United States. The jury found that Aspen Valley Hospital and its team provided an appropriate medical screening exam, that Mr. Shugars did not have the arterial clot when he was at Aspen Valley Hospital, and that the defendants met the standard of care. U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez denied the Shugars’ motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and, in the alternative, a new trial.

Taft Denver trial partner Aaron Bradford has represented Aspen Valley Hospital since 2009. He has represented rural and independent hospitals on various litigation matters. He is a battle-tested trial attorney with a passion for serving companies and individuals around the globe in the areas of technology, health care, and hospitality. Taft Denver associate Stephen Segall tried the case with Bradford. Segall’s practice focuses on a variety of complex litigation matters, including unfair competition, trade secret, trademark and patent infringement cases, fiduciary disputes, and medical malpractice.