Massachusetts Suit Alleges Response to Fatal Stabbing Was Too Slow

Posted by: Curt Varone May 9, 2019 0

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.
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