Thursday, July 23, 2009

** Oklahoma paramedic sues state trooper who put him in a choke-hold

** Woman accuses Wales medics of declining to treat her daughter because of Swine Flu

UNITED STATES NEWS

** As expected, a Creek Nation, Oklahoma paramedic has launched a lawsuit against a state trooper who placed him in a choke hold May 24. That is the word from Tulsa World (Ron Jackson/July 22) which said the papers for the suit were filed in federal court Tuesday. According to the newspaper, the particulars of the suit indicate medic Maurice White Jr. is claiming Trooper Daniel Martin had no right to stop the ambulance in question which was transporting a patient to hospital at the time;it further alleges Martin used unreasonable force when he seized White as he exited the EMS unit. Along with seeking $10,000 in compensatory damages, White is also requesting punitive fees as well. Martin said he pulled the unit over after it failed to adequately yield to him while he was responding to a lights and sirens emergency.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A Morriston, Wales woman is publicly accusing paramedics of failing to treat her ill 10-year-old daughter because they believed she was suffering from the Swine Flu virus. This is South Wales (July 22) quoted Leigh Williams as saying practitioners arriving at her home refused to even enter the room, despite the fact the child was having difficulty breathing. Williams said the family was forced to transport the girl to hospital themselves where she was treated for Swine Flu with anti-viral drugs. A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service declined to discuss the matter, noting only that EMS workers are versed in how to deal with HINI patients.