By EMS1 Staff
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — An EMT is facing a civil lawsuit after posting a photo of a patient’s serious injury online.
Earlier this year, a 21-year-old man, who identified himself as Keyano, had one of his legs amputated in a motorcycle crash that nearly killed him.
The EMT that transported him to the hospital posted a graphic photo of Keyano’s leg on Instagram, captioned, “This is what happens when you’re careless in the rain on a motorcycle.” The post also included the hashtags #byebyeankle and #thelouderyouscreamthefasterwego.
The photo was deleted several days later, and the EMT wrote a public apology to Keyano and his family via social media, reported CBS San Francisco.
“When you’re an EMT, don’t you abide by the laws and regulations?” Keyano’s mother asked. “What were you thinking?”
Since the photo was taken inside a hospital by a medical provider, it is likely that privacy laws will come into play.