Family Contemplating Filing Claim Over Death of Woman in Milwaukee

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Posted by: Curt Varone 2 hours ago 0

The family of a woman who was shot over Thanksgiving weekend and initially declared dead by Milwaukee Fire Department paramedics, has taken the initial steps to file a civil claim with the city for wrongful death, according to WISN Channel 12.

Tonie Phillips, 47, was left untreated at the scene of the shooting for nearly 30 minutes on November 28, 2015, until police heard her moaning under a sheet. Firefighters were dispatched back to the scene and she was transported to the hospital where she later died.

Firefighters originally responded to the shooting and arrived on scene within for minutes. They departed eight minutes later concluding Phillips was dead. Twenty-six minutes later they returned.

The civil claim is the first step to filing a lawsuit. Here is more on the claim, including a news video.

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ABOUT CURT VARONE

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 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.