Rochester police vehicle © Rochester Police Dept.

Family files lawsuit against emts and rochester police for man's death — Rochester police vehicle © Rochester Police Dept.

ROCHESTER, NY — In a grave turn of events last year, 48-year-old Julian Coleman reportedly struggled to breathe while in an ambulance, leading to a lawsuit filed by his family. The civil complaint, initiated by Coleman’s son Julian Green, accuses the ambulance team and Rochester police of negligence and wrongful death after Coleman was allegedly left to die on a sidewalk.

The lawsuit targets National Ambulance and Oxygen Service Inc., doing business as American Medical Response, along with EMTs Nicole Kuntz and Melanie Torres, paramedic Gregory Smith, and several Rochester police officers. The legal action, arising from the events near 2 a.m. on November 30, 2023, seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.

According to the complaint, Coleman called for medical help due to shortness of breath. Upon the ambulance’s arrival, Coleman was reportedly agitated and repeatedly informed the EMTs of his breathing difficulties. The situation escalated when Coleman, in a state of panic, grabbed EMT Kuntz by the arm, which led to the EMTs calling the police and discontinuing treatment.

Stephen Schwarz, the family’s attorney, emphasized that the tragedy could have been avoided if proper medical care had been administered. He highlighted that Coleman’s reaction was typical for someone in severe respiratory distress, criticizing the EMTs’ response to the emergency. The case now moves forward as the family seeks justice for Coleman’s untimely death.

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