When families place a loved one in an ambulance, they trust that the transport will be handled safely, especially when a patient is critically ill. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen.
On July 10th, 2026 - Breit Biniazan, together with local counsel Fennemore Craig, P.C., filed a lawsuit on behalf of our three-year-old client and her family, alleging that a series of preventable failures during a hospital-to-hospital ambulance transport in Las Vegas left our client with catastrophic, permanent injuries.
What Happened During the Ambulance Transport?
On July 12, 2024, Reign was a healthy three-year-old who had become critically ill and required an emergency transfer from St. Rose Dominican Hospital to Sunrise Children's Hospital for specialized pediatric care. She had been stabilized for transport, but remained intubated, manually ventilated, and dependent on critical medications during what was expected to be a short, 15 to 20-minute ambulance ride.
Instead of taking the direct route to Sunrise Children's Hospital, the ambulance allegedly left its intended route and entered the passenger pickup area at Harry Reid International Airport. We allege the driver was using a personal cellphone for navigation after failing to use the ambulance's onboard navigation system. According to the complaint, the driver became distracted after dropping the cellphone and diverted his attention away from the roadway.
The lawsuit further alleges that the ambulance continued into an area with multiple low-clearance warnings, passing several opportunities to turn around before striking hanging warning chains and ultimately colliding with an overhead clearance beam. Despite the initial impact, the ambulance allegedly continued to be maneuvered within the restricted area before a replacement ambulance was requested.
Because the original ambulance could no longer complete the transport, Reign had to be transferred from one ambulance to another in extreme Las Vegas summer temperatures before the trip to Sunrise Children's Hospital could resume.
The Delay Had Devastating Consequences
The interrupted transport delayed Reign's arrival at the hospital by approximately 25 minutes and disrupted the stable medical environment she required while receiving life-sustaining care. Shortly after arriving at Sunrise Children's Hospital, Reign suffered cardiac arrest and required emergency life-saving intervention.
Our lawsuit alleges that Reign suffered catastrophic permanent injuries, including:
- A right-sided stroke
- Permanent blindness in one eye
- Permanent weakness affecting the left side of her body
- Amputation of seven toes
- Ongoing reconstructive treatment
- Lifelong physical, cognitive, and functional impairments
When Can an Ambulance Company Be Held Liable for Negligence?
Ambulance providers play a critical role in emergency care. While EMTs and paramedics are responsible for providing medical treatment, ambulance companies are also responsible for safely transporting patients from one location to another.
That responsibility doesn't end when the ambulance leaves the hospital.
Drivers, dispatchers, and ambulance companies all have a duty to exercise reasonable care during transport. When operational failures, unsafe driving, poor communication, or inadequate training interfere with a patient's care, the consequences can be devastating, particularly when the patient is critically ill.
This case involves much more than a simple driving mistake. It alleges a series of preventable operational failures that began before the ambulance ever reached its destination.
While every case is different, ambulance negligence claims may arise when there are allegations involving:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to follow the planned transport route
- Unnecessary delays in transporting a patient
- Failure to properly train or supervise ambulance personnel
- Unsafe operation of an emergency vehicle
- Communication failures between the crew and dispatch
- Failure to follow established safety procedures
- Delays in coordinating replacement transportation after an incident
These are not simply transportation issues. For patients who are critically ill, even a relatively short interruption in care can have serious consequences.
Medical Transport Negligence Can Take Many Forms
When people hear the phrase "ambulance negligence," they often think of a crash involving another vehicle. In reality, many ambulance negligence cases involve operational errors that occur even when there is no traditional traffic collision.
Examples may include:
- Driving the wrong route and delaying a patient's arrival
- Distracted driving while transporting a patient
- Failure to recognize hazards during transport
- Equipment failures that interrupt patient care
- Delays caused by avoidable operational mistakes
- Improper transfers between ambulances
- Failing to safely coordinate care during an emergency transport
Hospital-to-hospital transfers are especially important because patients are often being transported for specialized treatment that is not available at the first facility. These patients may rely on ventilators, IV medications, cardiac monitoring, or other life-sustaining care while in transit. Any unnecessary interruption can create additional risks.
When Medical Transport Failures Lead to Serious Injuries
Every ambulance transport is different, and not every delay or mistake gives rise to a legal claim. But when preventable operational failures contribute to serious injuries, families deserve answers.
A critically ill child suffered catastrophic, permanent injuries after what should have been a routine hospital-to-hospital transfer. While the facts of this case are unique, the legal issues involved are not. Questions involving driver negligence, delayed transport, inadequate training, communication failures, and ambulance company safety procedures can arise in many different situations.
As this case moves forward, we will continue to advocate for our clients and pursue accountability for the injuries they have suffered.
Do You Have Questions About a Medical Transport Negligence Case?
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries following an ambulance transport, emergency medical transfer, or hospital-to-hospital transfer, you may be wondering whether negligence played a role.
Medical transport cases are often more complex than traditional motor vehicle or medical malpractice claims because they can involve multiple parties, including ambulance companies, drivers, dispatch systems, and healthcare providers. Investigating what happened requires a careful review of transport records, dispatch communications, training records, vehicle data, and other evidence.
The attorneys at Breit Biniazan have experience handling catastrophic injury cases involving complex questions of negligence and accountability. If you believe your family may have been harmed by an ambulance transport failure or another act of medical transport negligence, we're available to discuss your situation and help you understand your legal options. Contact our team today.
