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7-year-old lawsuit against S.C. EMS drags on

A woman was permanently disabled in a collision with an ambulance, and at issue is whether EMTs providing fire protection should be protected from liability

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Supreme Court is allowing a nearly 7-year-old lawsuit, stemming from an accident in which an Estill resident was injured by a Hampton County ambulance, to proceed on its merits.

In November of 2008, Maria Curiel was driving on Browning Gate Road in Estill when she slowed down to turn left into her driveway. That’s when her minivan was struck by a Hampton County Emergency Medical Services ambulance.

Curiel was left with a permanent disability from injuries to her back, neck, abdomen and other parts of her body, according to court records. The Curiels have received no compensation to date, according to their attorney John Nichols. At issue is whether the emergency medical technicians should be protected from liability under the law that covers government workers who are providing fire protection. The EMTs said they were on their way to a structure fire where a burn victim needed care.

Read full story: Suit against Hampton County EMS to proceed