Massachusetts Suit Alleges Response to Fatal Stabbing Was Too Slow

The family of a woman who was murdered during a stabbing rampage in a small Massachusetts community in 2016, is suing the community and American Medical Response alleging responders from both entities failed to promptly arrive at the scene.

Patricia Slavin, 80, died on May 10, 2016 after being stabbed by Arthur DeRosa. DeRosa crashed his vehicle outside Slavin’s home in Taunton, then enter the home and repeatedly stabbed her and her daughter. He then went on a stabbing rampage at a local shopping mall.

The lawsuit alleges that everyone from dispatchers, police, firefighters and an ambulance from AMR failed to promptly arrived at Slavin’s home in time to save her life.

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.
x

Check Also

Chicago Prevails in Disability Discrimination Suit

A Chicago firefighter-paramedic who suffered a stroke, and was placed in a non-operational procurement position at O’Hare airport, has lost his lawsuit alleging that the city’s failure to promote him to lieutenant violated the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Court Dismisses Police Officer From Connecticut Malicious Prosecution Suit

One of the two police officers accused in the malicious prosecution of a Connecticut firefighter in 2021 has been dismissed from the suit. Steven Frischling filed suit against Montville Police Lt. David Radford, Connecticut State Police Sgt. Albert Gosselin, and the Town of Montville.