The ATT 911 call nationwide outage had a devastating effect on customers needing emergency police, paramedic and ambulance service. Across America, ATT cell phone customers trying to call 911 for emergency medical or police help were greeted with a busy signal in their time of need. An ATT spokesperson confirmed that the wireless provider experienced a “service issue” that impacted “some 911 calls.” The reality is that when users cannot contact 911 for ongoing medical emergencies, the results can be grim. Undoubtedly, many ATT customers lost their lives in preventable wrongful deaths due to the inability to contact emergency services.
Why is 911 Response Time of Critical Importance?
Below are the average windows of time in which a medical emergency can be have an effective intervention by doctors and hospitals:
- Stroke (ischemic): 3 hours
- For every minute that brain cells are deprived of oxygen during a stroke, 1.9 billion brain cells die.
- Heart attack (failure): 1-3 hours
- Low oxygen saturation (inability to breathe): <1 hour
- Acute/rapid bleeding from trauma: <1 hour
Time is of the essence when there is an ongoing medical emergency. The average 911 call response time is within 10 minutes. That means, if you call 911 for a medical emergency, the ambulance should be there within 10 minutes. With ATT’s 911 outage across the country, thousands of would-be patients could not even reach the paramedics or ambulance due to the cell service disconnection from 911.
Who Was Affected by ATT’s 911 Disconnection?
ATT customers across the US lost the ability to contact 911 emergency services. The above map shows the severity of the outage by region. The most impacted metro areas were around New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle.
What You Can Do About the Inability to Call 911 From Your ATT Phone
Currently, the FCC is investigating the 911 outage problem and may possibly fine ATT for failing to provide 911 service. The FCC previously fined Verizon in 2015 for $17.5 million for a similar failure. So administratively, the company will be investigated and likely disciplined.
ATT 911 Outage Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If you experienced a cell phone outage which prevented you from seeking the emergency medical attention your loved one needed, and they died as a result of the delay in getting to the paramedics and hospital, you may have a viable wrongful death claim against ATT. If you believe that your loved one’s life could have been saved if you were able to call 911, you may sue ATT for the loss of 911 service in your area.
To discuss your potential lawsuit against ATT for 911 cell outages, call our experience wrongful death attorneys today for your free consultation. The call is free and there is no obligation. We can be reached now at 1-844-253-8919 to answer your questions. If you prefer typing over talking, that is OK too. Please fill out the case evaluator below.
