Did DC Paramedic Misdiagnosis Woman’s Condition?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

An elderly Washington, D.C. woman is dead after a DC Fire Department paramedic allegedly refused to accompany the woman to the hospital after examining her symptoms. The incident occurred on November 17 and the paramedic is on paid administrative leave, as reported at myfoxdc.com.

The fire department reportedly responded to a call involving the 87-year-old woman. After examining her, the paramedic determined that her condition was not serious. The paramedic then refused to accompany the woman on the ride to the hospital. Once at the hospital, the woman died.

What officials and investigators are trying to determine is if the woman would have survived if the paramedic accompanied her to the hospital. Furthermore, they are looking into whether the paramedic breached protocol by not accompanying her to the hospital in the ambulance.

The DC fire and EMS protocols are under scrutiny ever since a 2006 incident where a man died after an assault near his home. The DC Inspector General said the 2006 death was an “unacceptable chain of failure” by DC firefighters, police, and paramedics.

Health care workers can make mistakes in judgment. Unfortunately, those mistakes can cost lives and result in medical malpractice.

Have you ever been treated by 911 emergency services? If so, how was your experience? Contact our office today.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys

Approved by attorney David Schloss

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.