Chicago Man Sues City, Hospital for Paramedic Attack
CHICAGO – Robert Cole claims he was beaten two years ago by a paramedic and subsequently arrested on false charges. Now armed with a full investigation, he is preparing to sue the city, Roseland Community Hospital and others involved in the incident.
At 2:20 am on July 14, 2005, Cole bumped his head and called 9-1-1 just before passing out. On the way to the hospital, he awoke and told paramedics he felt well enough to leave. This allegedly infuriated paramedic Demond Ward, who forced Cole into the ER and proceeded to beat him when Cole still refused treatment. Cole says the other paramedics did nothing but watch.
Cole immediately called the police but claims they arrested him when the other paramedics told the officers Cole attacked Ward. Cole spent 10 days in prison and lost his job.
Last fall, an internal investigation of the Chicago Fire Department unearthed documents indicating the paramedics invented their story. Cole’s attorneys have also found a video that shows Ward throwing Cole onto the ground from the ambulance.
Since the alleged incident, Ward has passed away, but Cole is still suing four other paramedics, two police officers, Roseland Community Hospital, the city of Chicago and Securitas Security Services.
The other paramedics involved have been suspended.
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