Alabama Supreme Court Blocks DCH Health Care Authority Appeal in Ada Doss Wrongful‑Death Case

The highest court in Alabama stepped in on Wednesday and said no – DCH Health Care Authority’s petition to reverse a Tuscaloosa County judge’s decision was denied. In plain language, the writ of mandamus the hospital system filed has been tossed.

Judge Corey G. Seale had earlier ruled that the family of Ada Doss, a 27‑year‑old nurse who was fatally shot in the parking lot of DCH Regional Medical Center on May 12, could pursue wrongful‑death claims against the health‑care authority. DCH argued the family’s only remedy was workers’ compensation, a point the judge rejected.

Unhappy with that outcome, DCH asked the Alabama Supreme Court for relief on July 30. The petition was signed by Chief Justice Sarah Stewart and joined by Justices Greg Shaw, Michael Wise, Will Sellers, Jay Mitchell Cook, Tommy Bryan, Brady Mendheim McCool and Greg Parker. All of them, in a brief order, voted to deny the request.

Andrew Doss, the husband and personal representative of Ada’s estate, filed the suit alongside his two young sons. The defendants also include Universal Protection Service LLC (doing business as Allied Universal Security Services) and the alleged shooter, Matthew Taylor, who faces a capital‑murder charge and is still undergoing competency evaluations.

“This is a clear win for the Doss family,” said Tuscaloosa attorney Paul Patterson, who represents the estate. “The Supreme Court’s decision keeps the door open for a wrongful‑death claim, confirming that workers’ compensation isn’t the exclusive remedy at this stage.” He added that the family will continue to fight for justice for Ada and her daughters.

The case is far from over, but the Supreme Court’s denial of DCH’s appeal marks a significant procedural victory for the grieving family. It also signals that, at least for now, the state’s courts are willing to let civil claims proceed alongside any workers’‑comp benefits the family may receive.