Utah Supreme Court hears challenge to immunity for municipal 911 medical responders in Armenta v. United Fire Authority

The Utah Supreme Court on Tuesday heard argument in Armenta v. United Fire Authority over whether the Governmental Immunity Act protects municipal 911 medical responders from negligence suits when they evaluate and treat people at the scene of an emergency.

Terrence Rooney, counsel for petitioner George Armenta, told the court that on the day at issue Armenta "experienced the most terrifying experience he's had in his life" when he became nauseous, dizzy and lost consciousness; Rooney said family members called 911 and a United Fire Authority ambulance crew responded and that Armenta alleges the crew "denied him a recourse" after failing to diagnose a heart attack.

The case turns on the act's use of the phrase "emergency medical assistance" and whether that term covers ambulance and paramedic care provided in response to 911 calls or instead was intended to reach only certain on‑scene, event‑driven aid (for example, firefighters pulling people from burning buildings or responders at a hazardous‑materials incident). Rooney argued…