A Detroit federal jury awarded $5 million to the family of Kelly Snider-Smith, 33, who died while being transferred from Botsford General Hospital to University of Michigan Hospital, according to reports.

The jury found that Botsford Hospital violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) "anti-dumping" provision which prohibits hospitals from transferring patients in an unstable condition. Snider-Smith (pictured, left) weighed almost 600 pounds when he suffered a fractured left leg as a result of an automobile accident on Oct. 10, 1998, Local 4 reported. Botsford physicians reportedly decided to transfer Snider-Smith to University of Michigan Hospital -- approximately 45 miles away.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger, who represented the family of Snider-Smith, said that a paramedic begged physicians not to transfer Snider-Smith, but they refused. Hospital spokesperson Margo Gorchow said that the hospital was forced to transfer the patient because of his weight. "Our ... surgical operating tables go up to 350 pounds of being able to manage patient weight.

This was a patient of near 600 pounds," Gorchow said. Snider-Smith reportedly bled to death in the ambulance after leaving the hospital. The verdict against Botsford Hospital is believed to be the largest amount awarded in the United States for violation of an EMTALA statute.


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