First responders used Narcan on napping lawyer and restrained him as he struggled, suit says
“They were literally twisting his body around. They put him on the gurney. He was screaming in pain,” said Saloi Knickerbocker about her husband, California lawyer Richard Knickerbocker, who has sued the Los Angeles Fire Department for injuries allegedly sustained after first responders administered Narcan while he napped in a car. Image from Shutterstock.
An 84-year-old California lawyer has sued the Los Angeles Fire Department for injuries allegedly sustained after first responders administered Narcan, an overdose-halting medication, while he napped in a car in a TJ Maxx department store parking lot.
Richard Knickerbocker of California alleges that he was administered the opioid overdose drug and then restrained in a way that caused “deep second-degree burns.”
Courthouse News Service has the story based on the lawsuit allegations and an interview with Knickerbocker’s wife, Saloi Knickerbocker.
The incident happened April 1 after Richard and Saloi Knickerbocker had lunch with two family members. One family member wanted to stop by TJ Maxx.
Richard Knickerbocker decided to stay in the car, while the others shopped. A deep sleeper, Richard Knickerbocker took out his hearing aids and put down the windows for his nap, Saloi Knickerbocker told Courthouse News Service.
The drug apparently made Richard Knickerbocker agitated. When family members emerged from the store, they saw the lawyer struggling with firefighters.
“Literally, two officers were pulling him out of the car—with excessive force,” Saloi Knickerbocker told Courthouse News Service. “He tried to resist getting out. They were literally twisting his body around. They put him on the gurney. He was screaming in pain.”
It’s unclear how Richard Knickerbocker sustained the burns on his legs. He required months of medical care before the wounds started to heal, according to the suit.
The suit alleges negligence, assault and elder abuse, Courthouse News Service reports.
Richard Knickerbocker works at his firm in Santa Monica, California. He was previously the city attorney for Santa Monica.
A spokesperson for the fire department declined comment when contacted by Courthouse News Service.
