For example, in Connecticut, a 58 year old man suddenly became ill after playing touch football with his family on Thanksgiving weekend. They called 911. When no one responded, additional 911 calls were made. After about 9 minutes, an off duty state police officer arrived in his police car to assist. About 17 minutes after the first call was made to 911, an ambulance and emergency medical services arrived. They began treatment and transported the man to the hospital, but he had already suffered brain damage due to the delay and he died 5 days later. This case was resolved with a confidential settlement for the family.
In another case, a 23 year old father of 2 suffered an asthma attack and 911 was called. The EMTs and paramedics who responded put in a breathing tube and put the patient on a stretcher. While the stretcher was being carried down the stairs to the ambulance, the breathing tube was dislodged without the EMT’s knowledge and the patient was deprived of oxygen. The EMT’s had failed to continue to check tube placement as required. Unfortunately, the lack of oxygen was severe, and this young man was left in a near vegetative state. This family received a confidential settlement.
In a Massachusetts case, the ambulance got lost responding to a call for help with a baby who was having febrile seizures, resulting in a 13 minute delay in arrival. The EMTs were told to give the baby Valium on the way to the hospital, but they did not have the key to the narcotics box. Another ambulance was sent to help, allegedly resulting in another 10 minute delay getting the baby to the hospital. The child suffered profound brain damage resulting in quadriplegia and total dependence on others, and the case was settled for over $10 million.
Ambulance companies, ambulance personnel, paramedics and EMTs are bound to follow standards just like other health care providers. In Connecticut, there are regulations that must be followed for ambulance response, including
Ø Education, experience and qualifications of ambulance personnel and EMTs
Ø Keeping the ambulance in good mechanical repair so it can be driven as necessary to respond
Ø Having the right equipment on board
Ø Having the right medications on board
Ø Keeping the medical equipment in working order for use in emergencies
Ø Assessing the patient’s condition on arrival
Ø Communicating with doctors and other healthcare providers when deciding what to do
Ø Providing proper care to the patient under the circumstances
Ø Moving the patient from their location onto the stretcher the right way
Ø Moving the patient on the stretcher into the ambulance the right way
Ø Continuing to provide proper care the patient en route to the hospital
Ø Timely response to 911 calls and getting the patient to a hospital in a timely manner
Ø Providing complete information to hospital personnel so that proper treatment can be given
At McEnery Price Messey & Sullivan, your malpractice team includes experienced trial attorneys who will fight for you, a doctor-attorney, nurse-attorney and an extensive network of medical experts. You will have professionals on your side who understand the law and the medicine. With this combination we are qualified to represent people injured by the negligence of ambulance companies throughout Connecticut. We work on a contingency which means there is no fee and you pay no costs unless we first obtain a recovery from those responsible.
If a delay in the arrival of an ambulance or negligence by emergency personnel caused you or loved one a significant permanent harm, we can help. Contact us today and we will start the investigation, preserve the evidence, protect your rights and help you to get the compensation you and your family deserve.
