Could Antwan Ivey Have Been Saved With An AED?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - May 1, 2014 - PRLog -- Antwan Ivey died last week as the result of a sudden heart attack while playing basketball in a Florida A&M University facility, and one local attorney is asking whether this young man could have, or should have, been saved with an AED.

Craig Goldenfarb is a personal injury attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida who litigates on behalf of the families of people who die of sudden cardiac arrest, or a heart attack, in a public place or setting like a college campus, an airport, or a stadium or athletic facility. This area of law is known as AED law, or heart attacks in public places.

Since 2009, FAMU has had at least 114 AEDs, or Automated External Defibrillators, installed throughout 70 buildings across multiple campuses, including the campus that Antwan attended. It was part of the university’s “Heart Safe Campus Community Initiative,” a large-scale project aimed at better preparing the school, staff, and students to respond quickly and effectively to situations exactly like Antwan’s, and perhaps save the life of a future victim of a heart attack in a public place.

Students and coaches are aware of the AEDs on campus. In fact, all full-time athletics personnel are now required to undergo CPR and AED training, according to new NCAA rules on sports safety training. But this particular requirement does not go into full effect until August 1^st, 2014. The bylaw was just recently adopted during the 108^th annual convention in early January 2014.

That rule is just too little, too late, according to Mr. Goldenfarb in a statement on his blog about the heart attack death of Antwan Ivey. “This university has a duty and an obligation to keep its students and staff safe. It looks like they had the right precautions in place, but why wasn’t an AED used by someone to save this young man’s life? It certainly raises some concern for the safety of all the students, staff, and faculty.”

Studies have proven that if an AED is used during the first three minutes of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, a victim is likely to survive a heart attack; but the opposite is true. For every minute that goes by without the help of an AED or medical attention, a victim's chances for survival are dropped by ten percent.

Over his 20-year career, Mr. Goldenfarb has represented the families of sudden cardiac arrest victims across the country. His has represented clients who were students at colleges and universities, or were in public places like government buildings, malls, or airports at the time of the cardiac arrest.

There should have been an AED within close proximity to the spot that Antwan fell when the heart attack occurred, Mr. Goldenfarb explains. Why someone did not rush to retrieve an AED and use it to save his life is unknown.

Whether Anwan could have been saved with an AED will more than likely remain unknown - forever.

If you or someone you know has suffered and died as a result of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest in a public place, you should consider speaking with Craig Goldenfarb, who will meet with you and your family personally to confidentially discuss your potential personal injury case at no cost. Call his office at (561) 697-4440.

About Craig Goldenfarb

Craig Goldenfarb is the president and founder of the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A., one of the largest personal injury firms in Palm Beach County. Over his 20-year career, Mr. Goldenfarb has represented the families of sudden cardiac arrest victims across the country. His has represented clients who were students at colleges and universities, or were in public places like government buildings, malls, or airports at the time of the cardiac arrest.