Lillian Velazquez, a home nurse, was injured when two EMS workers tried to transport the lady's elderly (and overweight) client out of an apartment building.
As they descended a flight of stairs, one of the EMS workers lost her grip. When Velasquez attempted to intervene, she ended up at the bottom of the steps and her client landed right on top of her.
After the New York County Supreme Court dismissed her negligence case brought against the EMS workers and the New York City Health and Hospital Corp., Velasquez appealed.
The Appellate Division, First Department, thought that the emergency responders weren't immune from suit and that, under the "danger invites rescue" doctrine, Velazquez was owed a duty of care -- particularly since her job required her to come to her client's aid if his life was imperiled.
Did they buy her a stairway to heaven?
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Velasquez v. New York City Health & Hospitals Corp.