Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The City of St. Paul has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who suffered a stroke in 2022, but was not transported to the hospital because the hospitals were reportedly full. The man, Ahmed Ali, was in his 80s and suffered permanent injuries as a result of him not being transported immediately.
According to the Pioneer Press, Ali, now 86, claimed that firefighters misdiagnosed his condition and disregarded obvious signs he was suffering a stroke. Also at issue was a phone call from a family member who is an area physician who was reportedly “unequivocal and adamant” that firefighters needed to transport Ali because he was suffering a stroke. His son transported him to the hospital the following day but the harm was already done.
The suit filed in Ramsey County District Court alleged malpractice, but went further to claim that Ali was mistreated because of his race and ethnicity. He is a non-English speaking Somali immigrant.
According to a ruling in the case earlier this year, Judge Stephen Smith found that firefighters were informed that Ali has a history of Parkinson’s Disease, and diligently evaluated his vitals, blood sugar, and electrocardiogram. Firefighters also performed a stroke test. In June, Judge Smith dismissed claims related to discrimination but allowed the case to proceed on malpractice grounds. Had that case gone to trial one of the central issues would have been whether the firefighters properly interpreted the results of the stroke test, and whether they nonetheless should have transported Ali.
The settlement calls for the city to pay Ali $295,000. The Pioneer Press quoted Ali’s attorney, J. Ashwin Madia as saying:
- This was a sad event for Ali, his family, and the city.
- He’s grateful to have this matter resolved, and hopes that his case will help motivate St. Paul to update its training and procedures for responding to emergency calls of suspected stroke.
