Tennessee Court ruled Metro had ‘no duty’ to summon closer ambulance for man after Car Accident
In Tennessee the legislature is pushing a new agenda of tort reform to make Tennessee a more “business friendly” state. However, is this agenda putting our citizens at risk? One was to see the results of tort reform is to consider cases against the government. Since they right the laws they have benefited from its own tort reform for years. A case just came out of the court of appeals that I think is a good example of what happens when companies or the government have no fear of legal repercussions.
According to this case, Lori Gregory’s son, James Ballentine, died on May 10, 2010, after a rollover automobile crash in Tennessee on Springfield Highway, minutes from the Robertson County line. While ambulances across that line sat ready and within two to three minutes, Metro dispatched Davidson County ambulances, which took ten to fifteen minutes to arrive. Gregory filed a lawsuit against Metro arguing that it should have called nearby Ridgetop or Greenbrier for help.
According to the Tennessee Court of Appeals however, “Metro had no duty to summon or call for aid outside of its jurisdiction even if that aid was much closer.” This case could set a precedent in Tennessee because it’s the first case to deal with emergency responders’ duty to seek outside aid if it is closer. Gregory could appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court; however, she stated she probably won’t, after having spent most of her life savings on the legal battle already.
Auto accidents resulting in serious personal injuries happen every day all across the country and even to the residents of Tennessee. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured as the result of some type of auto accident, then we recommend you contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee auto accident attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will hear your case and work with you to see to it that you receive the compensation you need.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
