Woman says Putnam emergency workers dropped her

WINFIELD - A woman who claims Putnam County Emergency Medical Services employees dropped her is suing for injuries she sustained.

The County Commission of Putnam County is doing business as Putnam County Emergency Medical Services.

Corey Smith, EMT Basic, in his capacity as an employee/agent of Putnam County Emergency Medical Services, and William Weeks, EMT Paramedic, in his capacity as an employee/agent of Putnam County Emergency Medical Services, were also named as defendants in the suit.

On Feb. 11, 2011, Joyce Ann Call's daughter requested assistance when Call began having seizure-like activity, according to a complaint filed April 9 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Call claims Smith and Weeks arrived and, after their assessment and initial care, moved Call to their cot for transport.

Smith and Weeks stated in their medical report of the incident that while moving Call, they "felt a 'pop' in her left arm, laid her on the ground and then placed her on the cot for transport," according to the suit.

Call claims her daughter informed the staff at Charleston Area Medical Center that Smith and Weeks had dropped her when they were transporting her on the cot.

The defendants breached their duty owed to Call and deviated from the medically acceptable standard of care and were negligent in the medical care rendered to Call, according to the suit.

Call claims the defendants' care fell below the applicable standard of care and led to Call sustaining injuries.

As a result of the defendants' negligence, Call sustained a comminuted spiral fracture of the left arm; mental anguish; pain and suffering; medical bills; loss of income; and was otherwise injured, according to the suit.

Call is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by John R. Mitchell of John R. Mitchell LC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 13-C-105