The *Daily Herald* recently reported on a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the Carol Stream Fire District, involving an 81-year-old woman who died after a medical emergency at a local gathering. The case centers around allegations of negligence by a former paramedic and the village itself.
According to the lawsuit, on August 25, 2012, an 81-year-old woman named Armida Nonneman was choking on food during a party in Carol Stream. A paramedic from the Carol Stream Fire Protection District, Carey Zabran, responded to the call. However, the suit claims that Zabran initiated intubation while the food was still lodged in her throat—despite being advised by a licensed off-duty paramedic and former Melrose Park Fire Chief, Rick Beltrame, that the obstruction should have been removed or suctioned first.
The lawsuit also states that Zabran was aware that attempting to intubate someone with food in their airway could push it further and worsen the situation. Additionally, it alleges that Zabran failed to provide proper care and did not consult with other medical professionals in a timely manner.
Armida Nonneman was taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, where she passed away three days later. Her family has since filed a lawsuit, claiming that the district and Zabran were negligent in their response.
Battalion Chief Joseph Gilles, who is currently facing termination hearings, had previously raised concerns about possible cover-ups related to the incident. He claimed in October 2013 that he was being targeted for refusing to be part of a cover-up. His attorneys denied these claims, stating they lacked validity.
James Nonneman, the son of the deceased, said he only learned about an internal investigation into the incident 14 months after his mother’s death, when the termination process for Gilles began. “The family has been searching for the truth all along,†said attorney Paul McMahon, who is representing the family alongside Rick Murphy. “They were not told the full story, and now they want justice.â€
McMahon added that while the exact damages are not yet known, wrongful death cases typically involve significant sums, often exceeding $1 million.
Fire district attorney Karl Ottosen declined to comment on the specifics of the case but expressed general disappointment if the lawsuit is based on negligence during district service. He also stated that the upcoming testimony from Gilles’ trial would likely show there is no real basis for the claim.
Gilles’ attorney, John Botti, claimed that the first responder “essentially froze†during the emergency, failing to follow proper procedures.
This case highlights the ongoing legal battle between the Nonneman family and the fire district, as well as the broader implications of emergency response protocols and transparency in public services.
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