Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A Kentucky ambulance company and two EMTs are being sued by a mother who claims her teenage daughter was the victim of sexual misconduct during a transport last December.
The girl, identified only as Jane Doe, suffered a head injury while playing basketball at Elliott County High School on December 2, 2013. She was transported by the Elliott County Ambulance Service after experiencing symptoms of a concussion.
According to the suit, EMT Casey G. Berry, 31, unnecessarily cut and removed the girls clothing “without medical necessity and to satisfy his prurient interest.” The girl was left in “a state of almost complete undress, including the complete removal of her top.”
EMT Nicholas Porter is accused of driving the vehicle to Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital taking a “lengthy and circuitous” route that allowed Berry additional time with the girl. An assistant coach from the girl’s team “was forced to ride in the front of the vehicle despite asking to be in the back.”
Berry is now facing two criminal charges over the incident, third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree official misconduct. A trial is scheduled for August 1, 2014.
The civil suit was filed in Greenup Circuit Court by Attorney John Vincent alleging assault, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Berry and Porter; and negligent hiring by the Elliott County Ambulance Service.
UPDATE: 6/13/14 – Given the interest that this case sparked I contacted attorney John Vincent and he graciously agreed to an interview. Click here.
