MaineHealth sued by Jamaican farm worker over stroke discharge

Edwin Duffus, an uninsured Jamaican farm worker, has filed a federal lawsuit against MaineHealth alleging violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). The lawsuit claims that after suffering a stroke in Warren, Maine, in the summer of 2022, Duffus was discharged from Maine Medical Center without being stabilized.

According to the complaint, despite recommendations from four physical therapists for inpatient rehabilitation, Duffus was sent back to Jamaica with only his medications and a blank signup form for a treatment center. His attorneys from Pine Tree Legal Assistance state that he went 18 days without medical treatment upon his return and is now unable to work.

Duffus, who has worked in the U.S. for over 30 years under the H-2A visa program, also alleges discrimination and denial of equal rights based on his race and national origin. MaineHealth stated it follows all applicable federal and state laws regarding EMTALA and does not comment on individual patient cases.