John Doe, Petitioner v. Dynamic Physical Therapy, LLC, et al.

The Supreme Court said a Louisiana statute could not block John Doe's federal claims by giving healthcare providers immunity from liability during a public health emergency. In a brief unsigned opinion, the Court reversed the Louisiana Court of Appeal and sent the case back.

The Court unanimously reversed in a 9-0 per curiam opinion and decided the case without oral argument.

“"Defining the scope of liability under state law is the State's prerogative."”

The decision means states cannot use their own immunity laws to wipe out federal claims. That matters for people like patients or other plaintiffs who sue under federal law and face a state-law immunity defense.

The case now returns to the lower courts for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's opinion. The justices have finished their work on this docket action.

The key issue was whether a Louisiana immunity statute could shut down the plaintiff's federal claims. The Supreme Court said the lower court was wrong to treat the state law that way.

People bringing federal claims are affected when defendants argue that state immunity laws block the case. Healthcare providers and other defendants also lose a broader shield they had won below.

The case goes back to the lower courts. They must continue the case under the Supreme Court's instructions instead of treating the Louisiana statute as a bar to the federal claims.