Hillsborough County Agrees to $2.75 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death Case
When a loved one needs medical attention, you expect that the paramedics, nurses, doctors and other staff involved would provide the best care possible. You would think that they would do everything possible to help your loved one and keep them alive.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Even entrusted medical staff can be considered negligent and careless, causing patients to die. A Florida woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hillsborough County after paramedics failed to properly treat her daughter, who later died of a stroke. The county recently approved a $2.75 million settlement in the case.
The incident happened on the morning of July 4, 2018. Nicole Black found her daughter, Crystle Galloway, passed out on the bathroom floor in their home. She was crying and complaining of light sensitivity and headache. The 30-year-old woman had just given birth via C-section a week earlier.
Four paramedics arrived but refused to transport Galloway because she appeared to have “too much to drink.” They did not even take the woman’s vital signs. Black instead drove her daughter to the hospital and she started to have seizures. Doctors determined that Galloway had a stroke that resulted in a brain aneurysm. She was airlifted to a different hospital. She went into a coma and died five days later.
The family received an apology for the county’s “lack of care and service.” All four paramedics were disciplined for their actions. Lt. John Mike Morris, who was in charge of the crew, was fired. However, an arbitrator later decided that it was unfair to punish him more than the others and so the county was ordered to rehire Morris. He was not given back pay, though.
The other paramedics were suspended without pay for 240 hours. All were found to be in violation of multiple policies and procedures, including reporting that the call was canceled and even claiming that “no patient was found.” There were also false and conflicting statements as to why the paramedics failed to transport Galloway or even take her vital signs.
Black filed a wrongful death lawsuit in October 2019, claiming negligence on behalf of the paramedics. In June 2020, Hillsborough County, in an effort to end the case, agreed to a $2.75 million settlement, which calls for the county to pay $300,000 to Galloway’s estate. The remainder, $2.45 million, will be due if a claims bill is approved next year.
Get Legal Help for Your Florida Wrongful Death Case
If your loved one died due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, make sure you hold them liable for their actions. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can bring about justice and closure to a devastating situation.
Let the Tampa wrongful death lawyers at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group help you with your case. We can help you obtain monetary damages to pay for funeral expenses, lost wages and other damages caused by your family member’s death. Fill out the online form or call our office at 813-242-4404 and schedule a free consultation today.
Resource:
tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/06/25/hillsborough-okays-275-million-settlement-for-paramedics-inaction-prior-to-womans-death/
https://megajustice.com/understanding-wrongful-death/
