Cabell woman says EMS to blame for pregnant woman, newborn's deaths

HUNTINGTON - A Cabell County woman has filed a suit against the Cabell County Emergency Medical Services, claiming they caused the death of a pregnant woman.

Pamela Prout, the administratrix of the estate of Kristy M. Crawford, filed a suit Sept. 21 in Cabell Circuit Court. Prout is also the administratrix of the estate of Jayden D. Crawford, Kristy Crawford's son, who died shortly after his birth.

According to the suit, Kristy Crawford of Huntington was pregnant and had a seizure Jan. 4, 2007. Prout called the Cabell County EMS, which dispatched employees to Crawford's location.

Frank A. Pierson and J.N. Rimer arrived to provide emergency services to Crawford at about 8:28 a.m. Crawford was in a post-ictal state, but otherwise awake and breathing, the suit says.

Prout claims that the emergency workers failed to monitor Crawford's vital signs, cardiac rhythm, oxygen saturation and glucose levels.

According to the suit, Crawford was conscious with a pulse of 128 and respirations of 24 when she left her residence. Prout claims Crawford was not monitored during the transport to Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital, it was found that Crawford had a lethal cardiac arrhythmia. An ultrasound was done, which showed the fetal heart activity of Jayden D. Crawford.

Jayden Crawford was born by cesarean section at 9:19 a.m., Jan. 4, 2007, weighing two pounds 12 ounces.

Kristy Crawford was pronounced dead at 9:55 a.m., while Jayden Crawford was kept on life support until he was pronounced dead Jan. 5.

According to the suit, the negligence of the Cabell County EMS caused the deaths of Kristy and Jayden Crawford.

Prout seeks medical expenses for medical care and attention, funeral expenses and loss of income for the estate of Kristy Crawford, and medical expenses for Jayden Crawford.

She seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Debra A Nelson is representing Prout. The case has been assigned to Judge John L. Cummings.

Cabell Circuit Court case number 07-C-841