EMS didn't take boy, 2, to hospital after seizure: Lawsuit
Share this @internewscast.com

Background: The Phoenix Fire Dept. in Phoenix, Arizona (KPNX). Inset: Abraham James Clugston (Dignity Memorial).

The family of an Arizona boy who passed away after emergency responders declined to transport him to the hospital following a seizure—informing the child’s mother that she was “overreacting”—will receive a $2 million settlement from the city of Phoenix.

On Wednesday, city officials voted to settle with the family of Abraham Clugston. The child died in April 2022 following his mother’s early-morning 911 call after he suffered a seizure. Despite a fire crew arriving at the residence within 10 minutes, the wrongful-death lawsuit claims the crew dismissed the mother’s pleas to take her son to a hospital.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

“They called out, relying on Phoenix EMS for advice, who said he didn’t need to be taken to the hospital and that he was fine,” attorney Breann Slack shared with local NBC affiliate KPNX. According to the lawsuit, those first responders told the mother she was “overreacting,” insisting seizures were common, and advised giving Abraham over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen.

They reportedly left after 10 minutes.

Five hours later, Abraham was found unresponsive, the lawsuit said, according to KPNX. A second call to 911 was made, and this time Abraham was taken to the hospital — but he did not survive.

The lawsuit says the responders to the first 911 call failed to properly assess Abraham by not taking his vitals and temperature.

“[Firefighters] make mistakes, but as the parent, as in this case, my client, knows their child better than the city of Phoenix and it was, unfortunately, proven that day,” Slack said.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Our son deserved to live’: Family of 10-year-old who died after choking during lunchtime sues Chicago school district for wrongful death

“The City of Phoenix extends its deepest condolences,” a spokesperson said in a statement, according to KPNX. “Following this incident, as with any incident, an internal review was conducted and steps have been taken to improve training and procedures. The City remains dedicated to protecting the health and safety of every member of our community.”

Lawyers for Abraham’s family acknowledged that the settlement “is not going to bring Abraham back, but the family have been very vocal about wanting to pursue some kind of reform.”

“From the very beginning, Abraham’s parents knew that the city of Phoenix did wrong by their son Abraham, whether it was poor decision making that day or it was a flaw in the procedure that needed to be exposed and addressed,” Slack, the family’s attorney, said. “Abraham’s death could have and should have been prevented and while there’s nothing that can be undone, their hopes are that in addition to the laws that have already been changed since Abraham passed away … that Abraham’s Legacy will be to SAVE more lives, moving forward so that any child who has a seizure for the first time in their life won’t be at the mercy of a 911 operator or the general consensus of the first responder team, but rather will be immediately transferred to the emergency room, where they’ll receive the best and most qualified opportunity to live.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Florida Resident Admits to Threatening Trump in Exchange for ‘Benefits’

FILE – President Donald Trump addresses the press on Friday, June 27,…

Husband Who Killed Wife Collapses and Dies During Court Hearing: District Attorney

Inset: James Paul Anderson being transported from the courthouse following a medical…

Couple Accused of Severely Underfeeding 9-Year-Old, Resulting in Child Weighing Only 30 Pounds, Say Police

Inset, left to right: Angel Holland and Aaron Stalling (Hamilton County Jail).…

Woman in Critical Condition After Being Struck by Suspected Stolen Car

A woman is fighting for life after being hit by an allegedly…

Get to Know Michael Nachmanoff: The Judge Overseeing James Comey’s Case

Left: Former FBI Director James Comey in Washington, Dec. 7, 2018 (AP…

Barry Morphew, Accused of Killing Wife Suzanne, Released

  Indicted for the first-degree murder of his wife, Suzanne, Barry Morphew…

Police: Man Fatally Shoots Woman Following Dispute Over Religion

Inset: Calvin Johnson, Sr. (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The address on…

Florida Man Accused of Assaulting Girlfriend with a Baseball Bat

Jamie Michael Lane (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation). A Florida man is now…

Texas Man Sentenced for Stabbing Teen Girl Before Christmas Parade

A Texas man who killed a teen cheerleader in 2023 will spend…

Alabama Plumber Admits to Plotting to Hire Hitman Against Wife and 6 Grown Children

An Alabama plumber has admitted to seven counts of murder for hire…

Teen Babysitter Given Vodka by Mom, Baby Later Discovered Wandering Street: Police Report

Inset: Ashley Ellis (Vanderburgh County Jail). Background: The area in Evansville, Indiana,…

Two Men Arrested After Shooting in Brisbane’s Southeast; Search Continues for Female Suspect

Police have charged two men following a shooting in Brisbane’s south-east last…