Superior Court Judge Carl Fox has allowed the parents of former Chapel Hill High School football player Atlas Fraley to sue paramedic James Griffin on claims of negligence after reports show Griffin violated a number of Orange County Emergency Services policies that could have prevented the 17-year-old’s death.
The Fraleys voluntarily dismissed their claims against Orange County EMS.
However, the Fraleys convinced the superior court judge that Griffin was a public employee and not a public officer. Under such classification, Griffin is susceptible to claims of negligence.
On Aug. 12, 2009, Fraley made a 911 call from his home after a football scrimmage at Middle Creek High School complaining of severe body pains. Upon arrival, Griffin failed to take Fraley’s vital signs while he was both sitting and standing, take his temperature, transport him for treatment of hyperthermia, contact his parents or seek a doctor’s opinion on the issue, according to a county report.
Fraley was found dead at his home at 6:30 that night.
An autopsy report suggested Fraley’s dehydration and cramping may have led to a fatal heart attack, though the autopsy could provide no definitive explanation for his death.