The Supreme Court announced late yesterday that it granted certification in Almonte v. Township of Union. The question presented, as phrased by the Supreme Court Clerk’s office, is “Under the circumstances presented, are the paramedics entitled to immunity because they provided advanced life support services 'in accordance with this act' as required by N.J.S.A. 26:2K-14, specifically, N.J.S.A. 26:2K-10(a), which requires that the paramedic 'maintains direct voice communication with and is taking orders from a licensed physician or physician directed registered professional nurse'”?
This was a tragic case involving allegedly permanent and severe brain damage to a 21-month toddler. The Law Division granted a defense motion for summary judgment based on statutory immunity and denied plaintiffs’ motion to strike the immunity defense. In an unpublished per curiam opinion by a two-judge panel, the Appellate Division affirmed those results.