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Paramedics are trained to save lives. But what happens when the people sent to help end up causing more harm?
Every year, patients suffer injuries while being treated or transported by EMTs or paramedics. Sometimes it’s an honest mistake. Other times, it’s something more serious—reckless actions, delays, or outright misconduct.
If you’ve been injured by a paramedic or emergency medical responder in New York, you have legal options. However, the rules vary depending on who they work for, how the injury occurred, and whether gross negligence is involved. Let’s break down what you need to know.
Common Ways Paramedics Can Cause Injury
While most EMTs are well-trained and professional, accidents can still happen. And in some cases, those accidents are entirely avoidable.
Injuries can occur in several ways, including:
- Dropping a patient while lifting or moving them
- Using unnecessary or excessive force during restraint
- Administering the wrong medication or dosage
- Failing to monitor a patient’s condition
- Delaying transport to the hospital
- Getting into a crash while driving the ambulance
Some of these cases involve public agencies, like the FDNY or municipal EMS crews. Others involve private ambulance companies. Either way, the impact on the patient can be severe, and sometimes life-altering.
Can You Sue an EMT or Paramedic in New York?
Yes, but who you sue—and what standard applies—depends on who employs the paramedic.
If you were injured by a paramedic working for the FDNY or another city-run emergency service, your legal claim would be against the City of New York, not the individual EMT. These cases fall under rules that apply to municipal liability. That means you must show that the EMT’s actions were negligent or, in some cases, grossly negligent, depending on the circumstances.
To bring this type of case, you’ll need to file a Notice of Claim against the City within 90 days of the injury. If that step is missed, your right to sue may be lost.
If the paramedic works for a private ambulance company, different rules apply. In those cases, the company can be sued directly under standard negligence laws.
No matter who caused the harm, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and deadlines are short. Acting fast gives your case the strongest possible foundation.
What You Need to Prove
Not every injury is grounds for a lawsuit. You’ll need to show that:
- The paramedic or EMT owed you a duty of care
- That duty was breached through careless or reckless conduct
- Their actions directly caused your injury
- You suffered measurable harm, like medical bills, lost income, or lasting pain
This often involves reviewing EMS reports, hospital records, and incident timelines. In more serious cases, attorneys may bring in outside medical professionals to evaluate what went wrong.
Photographs, witness statements, and even 911 call records can also play a role in building your claim.
What Compensation Could You Recover?
If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to financial recovery for:
- Medical costs, including future treatment
- Lost wages if the injury kept you from working
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life or permanent disability
- In some cases, punitive damages for outrageous conduct
The value of your case depends on the severity of the harm and the impact it has on your daily life.
Talk to a Lawyer Who Knows How to Sue NYC
At Michael LoGiudice, LLP, we handle injury cases involving city workers, government agencies, and private ambulance services. If you’ve been hurt by EMTs or paramedics, don’t assume you have no options. We know how to hold the right people accountable.
If you or someone you love was injured during an ambulance call, we can help. We offer free consultations and don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to get started.