Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in New Mexico

My daughter, a student in NM, was at a music concert in Chicago this past weekend, and took a drug that made her feel ill. She went to the medic tent, and after waiting a while because they were busy, felt better and wanted to leave. They told her to sit down and shut up, and that if she tried to leave they would call the police and have her arrested, and then forced her to get into an ambulance against her will. They said by law she had to go with them and do what they said once she asked for assistance. The ambulance drivers had her sign a form (actually she told them she couldn't see it or read it without her glasses, so they told her to scribble on it and it was fine, then helped her sign) and now she is being expected to pay for the ambulance and ER and whatever else they did. She also tried to leave the ER because she felt fine, the wait was 5 hours, but again was threatened and told she had to stay and they ran tests on her for alcohol, although she was not drinking, and pregnancy. Her friend was with her throughout.

I just received the ambulance bill yesterday, and today she received a call threatening her from them. She has no ability to pay the bills, and knew that and told the medics in the medic tent, but they threatened her with arrest.


Asked on 8/23/10, 7:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Watson John Watson, Attorney at Law

I will not try to answer your question here because it would be a very long and complex answer. What I will suggest is the following: if your daughter is living on her own (as you describe) then she may likely qualify for assistance from Legal Aid. There is a legal aid office downtown on 3rd & Gold or 3rd & Silver and they have some very good lawyers who specialize in this kind of consumer law. Ask your daughter to go there and fill out an application and present this issue to them. She could even print out this question and reply and attach it as the statement of facts that describes the legal issue she wants answered. They will give her some good direction (even if they don't take her case). If they do take her case they will likely be able to address this issue to her satisfaction. If Legal Aid will not take her case then see a consumer rights attorney. There are several in your zip code area.

I wish I could answer this in more detail but we are limited on the space available and the answer to this query requires a fair amount of space.

Good Luck

Law Guru

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Answered on 8/28/10, 7:24 am


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