A 29 year old woman has been awarded $172 million after she was left severely handicapped by a botched 911 call.
The Bronx jury awarded the sum, one of the largest of its type in New York State history, after a number of practice violations by the emergency response team.
The court heard how then twelve-year-old Tiffany Applewhite was having difficulty breathing at home following a shot for an eye condition in 1998 when her mother rang for an ambulance.
Two emergency workers responded to the call but failed to bring necessary equipment out of the vehicle as the apartment was on the fifth floor.
When Applewhite went into cardiac arrest, the jury heard how Tiffany’s mother asked the responders to rush her to nearby medical centre, but was told they would need to wait for a special ambulance to transport the child.
There was then a further delay when it was uncovered that the staff had not called for back-up and Mrs. Applewhite and her daughter were forced to wait a further 20 minutes for the extra help to arrive – resulting in Tiffany suffering brain damage.
Now 29 years old Tiffany cannot walk or talk as a result of her injuries.
The jurors found the city was responsible for the now 29-year-old woman’s life-altering injuries because the emergency response team failed to perform their most basic duties including using a defibrillator.
It is now believed the city are set to appeal the decision. Speaking at the courts, an administration attorned told reporters:
“While this is a tragic case, we believe that the jury’s verdict is not consistent with the law. The city will appeal.”
The case took 16 years to go to trial following a series of appeals in the trial.
