The family of a young boy from Arizona, Abraham Clugston, will receive $2 million in a settlement from the City of Phoenix after his tragic death in April 2022. The boy’s death followed a decision by first responders not to take him to the hospital after he had a seizure.
Despite the mother’s concerns and urgent request for medical attention, the first responders dismissed her, telling her she was “overreacting” and that the boy was fine.
A Tragic Decision
On the morning of April 2022, Abraham’s mother called 911 after he suffered a seizure. A fire crew arrived within 10 minutes, but instead of taking the boy to the hospital, they told the mother that Abraham did not need medical attention.
According to the lawsuit, the first responders relied on Phoenix EMS’s advice, which assured them that seizures were common and Abraham was not in danger. The responders suggested the mother give Abraham over-the-counter medication like Tylenol and ibuprofen, before leaving the scene just 10 minutes later.
Five hours after they left, Abraham was found unresponsive, and a second 911 call was made. This time, he was taken to the hospital, but it was too late—he died.
Lawsuit and Family’s Claims
The family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, claiming that the first responders failed to properly assess Abraham’s condition. They did not take his vitals, nor did they check his temperature.
The lawsuit argued that the firefighters’ failure to act properly resulted in Abraham’s death, and that the decision to dismiss the mother’s concerns was a mistake.
The family’s attorney, Breann Slack, stated, “As the parent, my client knows their child better than the city of Phoenix, and it was, unfortunately, proven that day.” She emphasized that Abraham’s death could have been prevented if proper medical attention had been given immediately.
City’s Response and Settlement
In response to the tragedy, a spokesperson for the City of Phoenix expressed their condolences and confirmed that an internal review of the incident had been conducted.
The city said steps have been taken to improve training and procedures to prevent such an occurrence in the future. Despite this, the family’s lawyers acknowledged that no amount of money could bring Abraham back.
However, the family has been vocal about their desire for reform. They hope that Abraham’s death will lead to changes in how first responders handle such emergencies, ensuring that children who experience their first seizure are immediately taken to the emergency room.
A Legacy of Change
The settlement provides some financial compensation, but the Clugston family’s main goal is reform. The family’s lawyer explained that while no amount of money can undo the pain of their loss, the family hopes their fight will lead to changes that save lives in the future.
The family wants Abraham’s legacy to be one of change, ensuring that other children experiencing seizures will be treated with the care and urgency they need.
