Griffin reportedly directed Fraley to keep drinking fluids and left the residence. (WTVD TV image)
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HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. - The News & Observer reports that Superior Court Judge Carl Fox has decided to allow the parents of a Chapel Hill High School student to file suit against the former paramedic who treated him.
Judge Fox rejected the request from James Griffin's attorney to have the suit dismissed, ending the argument of whether or not Griffin is considered a public officer or public employee. Griffin would have been protected from lawsuit had he been considered a public officer, acting in his official capacity.
Two years ago, Atlas Fraley came home from football practice and called 911. Fraley was experiencing severe cramping and belived he needed an I.V. A similar experience a year prior was dealt with by a paramedic giving Fraley an I.V. and treating him for dehydration.
Griffin allegedly arrived and failed to follow Orange County EMS policies, including ignoring Fraley's pain scale and not contacting his parents. Instead, Griffin reportedly directed Fraley to keep drinking fluids and left the residence. When Atlas Fraley's parents arrived home, they found their son dead on the floor.
An autopsy suggested dehydration and cramping may have led to a fatal heart attack, but it was not able to provide a definitive cause of death.
Related Links:
- News Observer: Judge allows paramedic to be sued
- WTVD: Lawsuit over football player's death to continue
- NC judge allows suit against paramedic in death
- WCHL: Atlas Fraley Lawsuit To Proceed
- Herald Sun: Fraley suit will be heard
