A local doctor who was in a coma for two months will likely never walk or practice medicine again. Now, the doctor's family is suing the Bakersfield Police Department and Hall Ambulance for not giving him immediate medical attention. Bakersfield police are accused of handcuffing, detaining and abandoning Dr. Mohamad Harb for more than an hour in downtown Bakersfield in 2007 because they assumed Harb was drunk. However, it turned out, Dr. Harb was suffering from a stroke. 17 News visited Dr. Harb and his family at their home Friday. Harb can barely speak, and he relies on his wife and four children to take care of him. His wife Fatema Zaghloul blames Bakersfield police and Hall Ambulance paramedics for her husband's condition.
"The police, they are supposed to protect us," Zaghloul said. "But she (the police officer) didn't even save his life! If she saved his life, he wouldn't be like that."
Two years ago, Dr. Harb reportedly worked a long shift at Kern Medical Center trying to save a baby in the neo-natal intensive care unit. Dr. Harb's wife said he was on his way home when he suffered a stroke driving on 24th and Oak Streets and pulled over. After seeing vomit in the car and on Harb's clothing, the lawsuit claims Officer Claudia Payne handcuffed and detained the doctor on the side of 24th Street for more than an hour. Paramedics were at the scene but no one checked Harb's condition until a colleague pulled up and explained the doctor had just come from work. Police originally believed Harb was drunk, but his wife says that is impossible because he doesn't drink.
"She thought he was drunk," Zaghloul said. "And he never even touched it."
Harb's attorney Steven Gibbs says the family is suing for negligence and denying care to a prisoner since Harb was handcuffed on the side of the road for more than an hour. Gibbs also said the Kern County Fire Department may have to go to court since they also showed up at the scene and didn't check Harb's symptoms. Attorney Michael Lehman is representing the Bakersfield Police Department. He says there is no evidence of wrong-doing.
"There is no evidence cited by either Hall or the plaintiffs in this case that refutes the fact that the City of Bakersfield Police Department did summon medical care in this case," Lehman said in court.
However, Gibbs says his client could have been saved.
"Lost seconds or minutes are lost brain tissue," Gibbs told 17 News.
Harb's wife says she is suing for more than just money. She wants to spread awareness.
"It may happen to someone else. I need them to see what they are doing," Zaghloul said.
17 News tried to reach attorneys representing Hall Ambulance, but calls were not returned. The trial will begin in August.
