VENTURA : Attorney Blames Paramedics in Death

A Ventura businessman died needlessly after suffering a stroke because Anaheim paramedics inserted a tube into his esophagus instead of his windpipe, the lawyer for his family told a jury Wednesday.

By putting the tube down the esophagus, “you are choking the patient to death,” attorney Robert Packer said.

John E. Taylor Jr., a 50-year-old salesman, collapsed at a trade show at the Anaheim Convention Center in January, 1986, and was treated at the scene first by a bystander and then by city paramedics. He was hospitalized in a coma and died about three months later, never regaining consciousness.

The Taylors initially sought $10 million in punitive damages against the city of Anaheim, but are now seeking $2 million in lost wages, plus other compensation for his death.

Taylor had two sons and two stepdaughters, all plaintiffs.

Melvin F. Seifert, defending the city of Anaheim against the civil lawsuit, said in his opening statement Wednesday that as tragic as Taylor’s death was, there is no evidence to support a theory of wrongdoing by the paramedics.

“By the time the paramedics arrived” at the convention center, he said, “it was unfortunately already too late for Mr. Taylor.”

The first day of trial in Orange County Superior Court included testimony from Barbara Taylor, the victim’s widow, and a medical expert for the family.