AMR Hit For $1.5 Million Over Dropped Patient

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Posted by: cvarone 1 hour ago 0

A Massachusetts jury has handed American Medical Response a $1.5 million verdict in a wrongful death suit filed by the family of a woman who struck her head when her stretcher tipped over in 2009.

Barbara Grimes was being transported back from dialysis in January 2009 when her stretcher tipped throwing her to the ground and causing her to strike her head. Grimes passed away five days later from her injuries.

AMR alleged that the stretcher malfunctioned, but according to attorney Marc Breakstone, no defect in the stretcher was ever found to exist.

AMR released a statement saying: “We are very disappointed by the verdict. We are reviewing our options and are considering appealing the ruling.”

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Curt Varone has over 41 years of fire service experience and 29 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.