Stowe Parents File Lawsuit Over County 911 Glitch

 


 

Bobby Kerlik | | Thursday, September 27, 2007


The parents of an infant who died during a 911 glitch that resulted in missed calls for help filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the company that serviced the equipment.

John Kasecky and Amanda Schaffer filed a lawsuit in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against Kansas-based Embarq Corp., alleging the business was negligent when installing and maintaining the county 911 system.

Kasecky, of Stowe, found his 5-month-old son, Alijah Schaffer, not breathing and lying facedown in his crib Oct. 25, according to the lawsuit.

Kasecky, who didn't have a car or cell phone, began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation as he frantically dialed 911 for help and got a busy signal for 19 minutes.

He finally called Stowe police, who dispatched an ambulance to his Overlook Place home. Alijah was taken to Ohio Valley General Hospital in Kennedy, where he died.

During the 19-minute period, Alijah lost color, turned a blue-gray and his lips became blue, according to the lawsuit.

The glitch crippled the system for nearly seven hours and blocked 217 calls that had come in during that time, according to the lawsuit.


Connect: Have a thought or feedback about this? Add your comment now
Related Topics: Communications and Dispatch, Industry News, Legal and Ethical

 
What's Your Take? Comment Now ...

Featured Careers & Jobs in EMS


Get JEMS in Your Inbox

 

Fire EMS Blogs


Blogger Browser

 

EMS Airway Clinic

Innovation & Progress

Follow in the footsteps of these inspirational leaders of EMS.
More >

Multimedia Thumb

Worker Rescued From Maryland Parking Garage Collapse

Victim was buried for four hours under a 55,000-pound slab.
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

Pa. EMT Dies in the Line of Duty

EMT Tom Gruen was killed in the line of duty.
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

Parking Garage Collapses at Maryland Shopping Mall

“Extended extrication” being done for a person pinned under a key section.
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

Search Continues for Child in Minnesota Landslide

One child killed, two injured when gravel gives way at popular park.
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

Minnesota Park Landslide

One child dead, two injured and a fourth is missing during field trip tragedy.
More >


Multimedia Thumb

Day 6 in Pictures: Ambulance Leadership Forum

The Ambulance Leadership Forum in Warwickshire, England.
More >


Multimedia Thumb

Field Bridge Xpress ePCR on iPad, Android, Kindle Fire

Sneak peek of customizable run forms & more.
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

LMA MAD Nasal™

Needle-free intranasal drug delivery.
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

The AmbuBus®, Bus Stretcher Conversion Kit - EMS Today 2013

AmbuBus®, Bus Stretcher all-hazards preparedness & response tool
Watch It >


Multimedia Thumb

Braun Ambulances' EZ Door Forward

Helps to create a safer ambulance module.
Watch It >


More Product Videos >