CHAPEL HILL — The family of a Chapel Hill High School varsity football lineman who died of unknown causes after a practice in August 2008 has filed a wrongful death suit against Orange County, the county paramedic who treated him and Orange County Emergency Services, the family lawyer on Saturday told WRAL.com.
In their suit, the parents of Atlas Fraley — 17 at the time of this death and a college football scholarship prospect — allege that paramedic James Griffin provided inadequate care for their son, violated protocol for his medical condition and did not attempt to contact them before leaving him home alone, WRAL.com reported.
“Atlas Fraley’s death was a direct and proximate result of the negligence of [Griffin],” the suit stated, according to WRAL.com. “Had [Griffin) properly evaluated, treated and transported Atlas Fraley to a hospital, he more than likely than not would have survived.”
The suit cites an Orange County EMS report that detailed Griffin violations of its protocol in the case.
Fraley’s parents are asking a jury to award them monetary damages for medical and funeral expenses, Fraley’s pain and suffering, and the loss of their son’s companionship and services, according to WRAL.com.
Griffin, who resigned shortly after Fraley’s death, escaped disciplinary action by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services despite the Orange County EMS findings earlier that he had violated EMS protocolsc.
Fraley was found dead in his home on Aug. 12, 2008, after returning from an scrimmage at Middle Creek High School in Apex.
His parents, who found him, learned later that their son had called 911 for help, complaining that he was suffering from severe cramping. He said he thought he needed intravenous fluids.
Griffin and an unnamed fourth-year medical student who was riding with him in an Orange EMS vehicle, went to Fraley’s house, checked him and advised him to continue to drink fluids. The two rescue workers left Fraley alone and he later died.
An autopsy by the Office of the State Medical Examiner failed to determine the cause of death.
The state EMS report contained severe criticism of Griffin.
“Dr. [Jane] Brice said she had never had a paramedic violate so many protocols/policies at once, “ the report said, referring to the director of Orange County Emergency Medical Services.
— Mark Donovan and Beth Velliquette of The Herald-Sun contributed to this report.
