PHILADELPHIA — A man is suing the city of Philadelphia, claiming EMS workers failed to render aid to his father, who was later found dead in his apartment after calling for help.
The lawsuit, filed by the family of 57-year-old Robert Santiago, alleges that around 3 a.m. on April 24, 2023, Santiago suffered a medical emergency in his home and pressed his MedScope America emergency alert button, FOX 29 reported. Two EMS workers reportedly responded but left after knocking lightly and receiving no answer.
“It looked like it was two girls just hanging out in the ambulance like late night,” neighbor Mariem Chakir said. “So they go to the door, they just knock very lightly three times, that’s it.”
Chakir says she directed the EMS crew to Santiago’s door, but surveillance video provided by the family’s attorney appears to show them leaving without making further effort to enter.
Santiago’s body was found the next day by his son, who said he discovered him in a state of rigor mortis, still clutching the emergency alert button.
At a news conference, the family’s attorney called for an investigation into EMS response procedures, especially in cases where there’s no answer at the door.
The city declined to comment, citing pending litigation. A source familiar with EMS operations told FOX 29 that responders typically contact dispatch to coordinate with the alert company and have the patient open the door.
