Chicago Fire AED not charged, patient dies, settlement

[medicdan]

The family of a 49-year-old man who died of a heart attack after a defibrillator on the Chicago Fire engine sent to resuscitate him did not work -- because the batteries hadn't been replaced -- will receive $3.2 million under a settlement advanced Monday by a City Council committee.

http://www.emsresponder.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=10661

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[Summit]

that is retarded (both the failure to maintain and that they successfully sued for not reviving a dead man)

 

[el Murpharino]

that is retarded (both the failure to maintain and that they successfully sued for not reviving a dead man)

"The problem is under the law, if there's any percentage chance that a person could have survived but for the alleged negligence, that's enough to recover [damages].

I agree on some sort of settlement...maybe not $3.2 million, but there needs to be some sort of accountability held on CFD's part. The guy was in V-Fib after early CPR. He had the best chance of survival of any arrest patient and was denied it. They screwed up...plain and simple.

 

[mikeN]

If you're going to half *** checking out a truck, at least make sure the green check is there on the AED.

 

[judoka5446]

unforgivable

 

[NorthCoastChick]

Terrible. That is scary stuff right there.

 

[atropine]

This is why Chicago FD is not the best in the world.

 

[Fox800]

No excuse. Check your equipment at the beginning of every shift. Have spare batteries that are charged.

 

[mikeN]

Not every place can stock trucks with a spare battery.

 

[Fox800]

Not every place can stock trucks with a spare battery.

If your service can't afford spare batteries for your cardiac monitor, it's time to find a new place to work.