Paramedics Who Tied Up All Lines on Personal Calls Settle Wrongful Death Case

Plaintiff’s decedent, a 10 year old, was shot in the heart by a playmate. The ambulance response was delayed because the dispatchers were tying up the lines on personal calls. Additionally, the closest paramedic unit was waiting at a hospital against City policy. Plaintiff was able to establish that defendant’s conduct was wanton, willful and reckless. The defendant denied that its conduct was culpable and further presented expert evidence that earlier medical intervention would not have saved her life.