A tragic case has emerged from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, involving the alleged negligence of multiple parties leading to the death of a 69-year-old woman. The complaint was filed by Ariellmarie Berangere Rankine, administratrix of the estate of Deborah L. Brice, in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County on December 4, 2024. The defendants named in this lawsuit include Delaware County and various entities associated with an assisted living facility.
The case centers around events that transpired on May 6, 2024, when Deborah L. Brice called 911 from The Residences at Chestnut Ridge in Chester, Pennsylvania, seeking emergency medical assistance. According to the complaint, despite dispatching a Delaware County EMS unit to the location, the responders were unable to gain entry due to a locked door and subsequently left without evaluating or assisting Brice. Tragically, she was later found deceased in her friend's apartment.
Rankine's lawsuit accuses several parties of negligence. The complaint asserts that Chestnut Ridge and its owner VS Chester ILF LLC failed to ensure safe access for emergency services by locking doors and not providing contact information or staff to assist EMS personnel. Genesis Health Services Management and Genesis HC LLC are also accused of failing in their duty as operators of the facility to maintain adequate procedures for emergency situations.
Further allegations are directed at an unidentified employee referred to as Jane Doe, who allegedly failed to perform a wellness check after being contacted by concerned individuals following Brice's distress call. The complaint states that Jane Doe did not enter the apartment or verify the well-being of its occupants.
Delaware County is charged with gross negligence for its EMS personnel's failure to provide necessary services or follow protocols during emergencies. Specific accusations include abandoning Brice without performing an evaluation and neglecting department-approved protocols requiring forced entry if necessary.
Rankine seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 from each defendant group for economic losses and punitive damages due to what she describes as egregious failures leading directly to her mother's death.
Representing Rankine is Andrew T. Neuwirth from Neuwirth Law Office LLC. As of now, no judge has been assigned to this case under Case ID: Docusign Envelope ID: 7AQOD4FA-9190-4BB5-8929-49842504E463.