By: Alicia Turner
July 19, 2016
BLOUNTSTOWN, Fla. (WCTV) -- Many walking out of the Calhoun Liberty Hospital doors are doing something Barbara Dawson didn’t get a chance to. They're going home after a trip to the emergency room.
"It broke my heart. It shouldn’t have happened," said Kathy Cauley, a resident of Calhoun County.
Now Dawson’s family is seeking damages from those they believe are responsible for her death.
In a 12-page document, the lawsuit lists multiple people involved, including arresting officer John Tadlock. The lawsuit alleges he used excessive force removing Dawson from the hospital.
The lawsuit also lists the Blountstown Police Department and the City. It alleges both had knowledge of police department policies. The lawsuit also said they failed to train, supervise and discipline law enforcement.
It goes on to name nurses and the hospital for failing to screen, examine and evaluate Dawson.
"I think they have to do what they have to do, that’s the size of it," Cauley said.
Although many agree the hospital was wrong for what happened, they don't all agree with the suit.
"it was bad. It was really bad, but I hate to see them sue the hospital because it may put them out of business,” said Melvin Lockhart.
The hospital is responding to the suit. Calhoun Liberty Hospital says they've taken action since Dawson’s death -- including training staff -- and have no plans to close their doors.
"It’s really important for us to communicate, to our residents of Calhoun and Liberty County, that they can trust their hospital. They can feel comfortable coming to us and that we will give them quality care," said Sandi Poreda, spokesperson for Calhoun Liberty Hospital.
Now it will be up to a judge and jury to decide whether Dawson’s civil rights were violated.
To view the full complaint, click here.
By: Julie Montanaro
July 18, 2016
BLOUNTSTOWN, Fla. (WCTV) -- The family of Barbara Dawson filed a federal lawsuit Monday in the wake of her death at Calhoun Liberty Hospital.
The wrongful death suit names Calhoun Liberty Hospital, two of its employees, the City of Blountstown and the officer who came to arrest Dawson the day she died.
Dawson died December 21, 2015.
The lawsuit contends the actions of Blountstown Police Officer John Tadlock and hospital employees Drew Peacock and Jennifer Waldorff were "unreasonable and unwarranted."
According to the lawsuit, Dawson had been discharged from the hospital, but was complaining of breathing problems and refused to leave. The suit contends the hospital employees called a police officer to forcibly remove Dawson from the hospital.
The suit contends Dawson collapsed and became unresponsive in the parking lot, but the three continued to forcibly load her into a patrol car.
A doctor ultimately ordered Dawson be brought back into the hospital where she died a couple of hours later.
The federal suit contends the hospital "failed to fulfill their duty to screen, examine and evaluate Barbara Dawson."
The suit alleges false imprisonment and battery saying Tadlock, Peacock and Waldorff "forcibly tried to place Barbara Dawson into the police cruiser while she was unconscious."
The federal suit contends Officer Tadlock violated Barbara Dawson's civil rights, saying he "illegally arrested" Dawson that day. It goes on to say that Dawson was unreasonably "arrested, seized and detained without probable cause and subjected to excessive force."
A spokeswoman for Calhoun Liberty Hospital said, "We're reviewing the complaint filed in federal court and we look forward to the opportunity to respond to the allegations made."
"In the wake of the incident with Ms. Dawson, our hospital has made substantial improvements in staff training as well as policies and procedures," hospital spokeswoman Sandi Poreda said. "We have also worked hard to regain the trust of our community, working hand in hand with our hospital task force to identify ways we can address community concerns."
"Our community needs this hospital - it provides critical care to those who may not survive the hour-long trip to the next closest facility," Poreda said.
To view the full complaint, click here.
