Lawsuit Claims Negligence in Spartanburg EMS’s Failure to Reattach Infant’s Tracheostomy Tube Resulting in Death

Accident – Death – Obituary News : SPARTANBURG — A grieving mother has filed a lawsuit against Spartanburg EMS, alleging negligence in the death of her premature infant daughter. Brittany Wilson claims that medical personnel failed to properly reattach her daughter’s tracheostomy tube during an ambulance ride to the hospital. The suit was filed in September, and both Spartanburg EMS and the North Spartanburg Fire District, the defendants in the case, have denied liability, citing the state’s tort claims act, which grants government agencies immunity from certain lawsuits.

According to court records, Wilson’s daughter was born prematurely on January 20, 2021, after just 24 weeks. She was released from the hospital in June with a tracheostomy tube, which is inserted into the front of the neck and into the windpipe to assist with breathing. On November 12, 2021, Wilson called 911 after encountering difficulties while changing and reinserting her daughter’s tracheostomy tube. Hampton County EMS Director Chris Altman, who reviewed the medical records of the incident and agreed to act as an expert witness for Wilson, stated in an affidavit that the North Spartanburg Fire District was the first to respond. By the time they arrived, Wilson had successfully reinserted the tube and the infant’s condition had improved.

However, the situation took a turn for the worse when Spartanburg EMS arrived. Wilson alleges that the EMS crew decided to transport her daughter, identified as A.D. in the lawsuit, to Spartanburg Medical Center for further monitoring. Altman’s affidavit states that the North Spartanburg Fire District specifically instructed the Spartanburg EMS crew to “maintain the tracheotomy due to it not being secured.” Despite the instructions, a paramedic from Spartanburg EMS reportedly pulled out the tube and unsuccessfully attempted to reinsert it, causing bleeding at the stoma site, where the tube enters the trachea.

Following the incident, Wilson’s daughter continued to experience complications and was transferred to Greenville Memorial Hospital the next morning. Tragically, she passed away later that day. In his affidavit, Altman criticized Spartanburg EMS for deviating from the acceptable standard of care. He cited issues such as mishandling an unsecured tracheostomy tube, tampering with the tube, injuring the stoma site, failing to select the most appropriate medical facility, and inaccurate medical record-keeping. Altman concluded that proper care and treatment could have potentially prevented the infant’s injury and subsequent death.

Spartanburg EMS, however, denies any negligence. In their court response, they specifically deny tampering with the tracheostomy tube. Wilson is seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, and both parties have requested a jury trial.

The tragic case has sparked public attention and concern over the quality of medical care provided by Spartanburg EMS. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely shed light on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether there was indeed negligence on the part of the medical personnel involved. The grieving mother, Brittany Wilson, remains hopeful for justice and accountability as she seeks closure for the untimely loss of her infant daughter..