TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —The family of a Florida woman who died outside a hospital after she was forcibly removed by police has filed a federal lawsuit against those who forced her exit.
Frances Scott, who is the personal representative of the estate of Barbara Dawson, filed it against Calhoun Liberty Hospital, including two of its former employees, the City of Blountstown and former Blountstown Police officer.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Tallahassee July 16, alleges four counts — false imprisonment, lack of emergency care, battery and a civil rights claim.
The Tallahassee law firm Parks & Crump, which has handled cases including the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, is representing the Dawson family.
“Up until this point neither one (the hospital and city) has been willing to talk. That left us with no choice but to file against both of them,” attorney Daryl Parks said.
Dawson, a 57-year old black woman, was treated Dec. 21 at the hospital. She was discharged, but refused to leave because she said she had difficulty breathing. John Tadlock, a white Blountstown Police officer, handcuffed her in the emergency room, and she was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. She collapsed when Tadlock tried to put her in a patrol car.
Drew Peacock, an emergency medical technician, and Jennifer Waldorff, a nurse, assisted Tadlock in trying to get Dawson into the car after she collapsed. Less than 20 minutes after Dawson collapsed, she was reassessed by a doctor. and taken back to the emergency room. Dawson died about 90 minutes later.
The medical examiner’s office found that Dawson died from a blood clot.
