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A wrongful death suit was filed Monday against the city of Detroit and two unnamed 911 dispatchers after a Michigan women died when her 6-year-old son’s 911 calls were ignored.
According to attorney Geoffrey Fieger, Sherrill Lynn Turner’s death could have been avoided had the operators taken her son, Robert Turner’s calls seriously. “Every call has to be considered a life and death situation,” Fieger said.
Sherrill Lynn Turner, who had an enlarged heart, collapsed last February due to cardiovascular complications. Her frightened son called 911 for help. He quoted dispatchers telling him, “Stop playing on the phone.” A few hours later, Robert tried again, but help didn’t arrive until it was too late.
The lawsuit alleges that Robert was subjected to “intentional, extreme, and outrageous conduct” by the dispatchers. Additionally, Fieger believes the incident is not isolated and the city has problems with police response in Detroit.
Fieger is also representing a Michigan woman who called 911 twice last year after she was shot in the head by her husband. Records show the operators asked her if she had a mental problem and asked that her husband be put on the phone. It took a third call from her out-of-state son until help was finally sent.
The woman, Lorraine Hayes, survived the gunshot, but has become paraplegic as a result of her injuries. She seeks $25,000 in damages for the emotional pain she suffered from the incident.
The Detroit Police Department has said the matter is under investigation. “It is important not to rush to judgment in these types of situations,” Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings said.
“The citizens of Detroit can be assured that our department is meticulously examining every aspect of what occurred, and if disciplinary action is recommended following completion of the investigation, then that is the course that will be taken,” she said in a statement.
The family of Sherrill Lynn Turner is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages in the wrongful death lawsuit.
Fieger said this is a case, which “indicates to the city that they have a problem that needs to be addressed.”