Thursday, April 7, 2011

** London Ambulance Service (UK) sued, after woman suffers long term brain injury following nearly 2 hour EMS response

** California paramedic attacked after Giants’ game may have suffered permanent brain damage

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** The family of a Islington woman, who suffered long term brain injury 4 years ago after waiting nearly 2 hours for paramedics, is suing the city’s ambulance service. That is the word from the Telegraph (April 6) which said relatives of Caren Paterson, 33, claim medics declined to respond to Paterson’s flat, which had been wrongfully flagged as dangerous, without a police escort;they were 100 yards away at the time. Finally arriving on scene 102 minutes later, senior EMS staff were still unavailable to administer treatment for her cardiac arrest. Starved of oxygen to her brain, Paterson now requires constant specialized care. Admitting the October 27, 2007 call was fraught with errors, a London Ambulance Service spokesman said they hope lawyers for both sides can work out an appropriate settlement.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Santa Clara, California paramedic, severely beaten after a Giants game at Dodger Stadium last month, may have permanent brain damage. CBS News (April 6) said Bryan Stow, 42, who remains in a medically induced coma, is is critical condition and has had part of his skull removed to reduce swelling. A father of two, Stow was attacked  from behind in the stadium parking lot by two Latino males March 31. Hitting his head on the pavement at one point, he was knocked unconscious. According to the news site, the beating did not cease until paramedics arrived, despite the fact some 100 bystanders witnessed the assault. A $100,000 reward has been posted for anyone with information on the incident.