Woman Sues FDNY Over Ambulance Injuries

A Brooklyn woman has filed suit against New York City claiming that carelessness by two FDNY EMS workers caused a severe laceration to her leg.

Jacqueline Vanderhorst, 58, alleges that EMTs “shoved her” into an ambulance last July resulting in a would that took 21 stitches to close.

The NY Post quoted Vanderhost as saying:

  • “Instead of using a stretcher they tried to boost me up into the ambulance. ”
  • “My leg got caught in the middle and I ended up with 21 stitches. When I laid down in the ambulance, the sheets were full of blood.”

Vanderhost filed suit in Kings County (Brooklyn) Supreme Court seeking compensation for her injuries. The suit claims the EMTs told her that the steps into the ambulance were “unserviceable” and that “Vanderhorst was forced and literally pushed in the ambulance by the EMS attendants, resulting in serious injuries to her left leg which needed immediate medical attention and stitches.”

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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