Patsy Smith, as next of kind and mother of Shawn Smith v. State of Tennessee

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE September 21, 2004 Session PATSY SMITH, AS NEXT OF KIN AND MOTHER OF SHAWN SMITH v. STATE OF TENNESSEE Appeal from the Claims Commission for the Eastern Division No. 401372 Vance W. Cheek, Jr., Commissioner No. E2004-0737-COA-R3-CV - FILED MARCH 14, 2005 Shawn Smith died of aspiration of gastric contents while a patient at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Shawn Smith’s mother, Patsy Smith (“Plaintiff”), sued the State of Tennessee (“the State”). The case was transferred to the Claims Commission (“the Commission”). After trial, the…