Bondy v. Allen

Kathryn Bondy (plaintiff) was walking in a designated crosswalk when she was struck by a car driven by Carey Allen (defendant). The car was owned by Jeffrey Allen (defendant). An ambulance was called, and Gold Cross Ambulance Service, Inc. (Gold Cross) (defendant) responded and arrived at the scene. A paramedic assessed Bondy’s injuries and placed her in the ambulance on a gurney. Initially, the paramedic secured Bondy to the gurney with safety straps. The paramedic continued to assess Bondy’s injuries while the ambulance was driven to the hospital. During this assessment, the paramedic removed a couple of the straps to remove a coat from her legs. The movement of the ambulance caused Bondy’s leg to fall off of the gurney, and Bondy screamed in pain. The paramedic moved her leg back onto the gurney and secured it with the safety straps again. Bondy and her husband (plaintiff) sued Carey and Jeffrey Allen and Gold Cross, alleging negligence. Gold Cross moved for summary judgment, arguing that there was insufficient evidence that the actions of the paramedic caused any compensable damage. The trial court denied the motion. After the trial began, the Allens settled with Bondy. Gold Cross then moved to exclude all evidence of the damages caused by the car accident. Rather than ruling on this motion, the trial court granted summary judgment to Gold Cross. Bondy appealed.