Yaugeni Kralkin filed a lawsuit in Staten Island Supreme Court Friday against New York City, the New York Fire Department and four paramedics who he say allowed him to jump from a moving ambulance while he was highly intoxicated, according to the New York Times.
The incident occurred on June 11, 2016, when Mr. Kralkin was taken to a local hospital after passing out drunk on a neighbor’s lawn. He then claims that, in a blacked out state, he unstrapped himself from his gurney and jumped out of the moving ambulance. He hit the pavement, was knocked unconscious and suffered a seizure as a result of the fall, in addition to sustaining cuts and bruises.
Mr. Kralkin and his lawyer allege that it was the responsibility of ambulance workers to make sure he safely arrived at the hospital. While representatives from the city have not yet issued statements, a spokesman for the union representing all four paramedics was adamant about their innocence in the matter.
“What is this E.M.T. supposed to do to stop somebody who loses control of themselves and does something crazy like that? It’s not their job to get into a physical altercation with somebody who decides they are going to try and jump out of the ambulance,” said Robert Ungar, spokesman for the Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors F.D.N.Y. Local 2507.
Mr. Kralkin seeks compensation for his medical bills as well as damages.
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