Arizona officials decided on Wednesday to grant a family $2 million following a tragic incident where firefighters declined to take a 2-year-old boy to the hospital who subsequently passed away.
According to KPNX, the unfortunate situation unfolded when Abraham Clugston’s mother dialed 911 in 2022 after he had his initial seizure. Phoenix firefighters arrived 10 minutes later but declined to transport young Clugston to the hospital, advising his desperate mother to administer Tylenol and Ibuprofen, asserting that his seizures were typical.
The responding firefighters allegedly also told Clugston’s mother she was “overreacting.”
“They relied on the consultation and advice of Phoenix EMS, asserting that the boy didn’t need hospital care, insisting he was okay,” stated attorney Breann Slack, who represented the Clugston family, in an interview with KPNX.
The wrongful death lawsuit stated that firefighters never took Clugston’s vitals or temperature, even though he also had a fever. Clugston’s mother gave him the medications as firefighters left, but relatives found the toddler unresponsive five hours later.
The family called 911 again. This time, Clugston was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to KPNX, the Phoenix City Council unanimously voted to award Clugston’s family $2 million. A statement issued to the news outlet indicated that an internal review was conducted and steps were taken to improve procedures and training. However, city officials did not disclose specific changes to protocol.
Meanwhile, Slack commented, “[Firefighters] make mistakes, but as the parent, as in this case, my client, knows their child better than the city of Phoenix and and it was, unfortunately, proven that day.”
[Feature Photo: KPNX]
