The last thing you expect when experiencing an emergency situation is to be harmed by the people or ambulance company responding to help you. Unfortunately, ambulance injuries are far too common, and the consequences that flow from such injuries can be severe for people already experiencing a medical event.
Were you injured by a paramedic’s gross negligence? Perhaps your injuries were caused by an ambulance accident? However your ambulance injury occurred, the attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you identify the at-fault party and make a plan for financial recovery.
Because ambulances are transporting seriously ill or critically injured patients, it is often necessary to travel at fast speeds. Further, ambulances may ignore the rules of the road as they are given priority to travel through traffic. While getting to the hospital quickly is a priority, risky driving can also lead to injury. Additionally, the paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responsible for providing care to the patient may also cause further injury.
Ambulance injuries can be caused by the negligence of drivers, medical personnel, or ambulance companies, including by:
Connecticut law requires ambulance companies, paramedics, and EMTs to meet certain standards, including:
Ambulances are required to carry certain equipment, including blood pressure cuffs, oxygen supplies, and resuscitation equipment.
EMTs and paramedics must also adhere to certain training and educational standards, some of which are required by law and others that may be set by the employing company.
Connecticut General Statute Section 52-557b, sometimes referred to as the Good Samaritan Law, provides protections for people who render medical aid to people in need. This law does not apply to doctors and nurses who perform these tasks in the regular course of their employment, but it does extend to emergency medical service personnel, which includes paramedics and EMTs.
This means that emergency medical responders have immunity from civil damages and lawsuits when rendering first aid to injured patients. The statute does not protect paramedics and EMTs when they are traveling to an emergency call, so the driver of the ambulance does not have special protections under Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Law. Additionally, Section 52-557b doesn’t apply in situations involving gross, willful, or wanton negligence.
Whether the ambulance staff or the company itself is at fault for your injuries, you have the right to hold them accountable for failing to uphold their duty of care. In Connecticut, ambulance injury cases often include financial damages like the following:
These include the financial losses you’ve sustained as a result of your ambulance injury. Economic damages are generally easy to calculate because they are based on actual expenses and quantifiable future expenses like medical costs, lost wages, therapy costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
This type of loss is more difficult to calculate because it does not represent actual monetary loss. Non-economic damages include subjective losses, including pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are a third option in Connecticut ambulance injury cases, but they are exceedingly rare. These damages are intended to punish the responsible party for egregious negligence or wanton disregard for patient safety.
The attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have been trusted advocates for countless injured clients in Connecticut. Each of our clients has unique needs and goals, which is why our approach involves an in-depth analysis of your injuries and case to ensure we can help you recover in a way that best suits you.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation with one of our ambulance injury lawyers.
