Heather Locklear’s mugshot from this weekend. Photo courtesy of TMZ.
Summary: The EMT, who Heather Locklear attacked in late June, has hired a personal injury lawyer.
Heather Locklear was arrested last week at her Ventura County home, and she resisted being taken away from her family by attacking a cop and EMT. Now, the EMT is considering suing the Dynasty star, according to TMZ.
The unnamed EMT said she suffered injuries from the Locklear attack, and she has been reassigned from her job to work at a desk. Because of her head and neck problems, she has hired personal injury attorney, Kevin Flahavan.
The EMT reportedly wants money for medical bills and damages, which include emotional distress.
The incident occurred on June 24. Locklear allegedly had been drinking heavily and crashed her Porsche when someone called 911. Police arrived on the scene, and she punched a cop as he tried to separate her from her family. She was later put onto a stretcher, and she kicked the EMT who was trying to help her.
Locklear was charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery. She had been previously arrested for hitting police who had responded to a similar incident.
Locklear, 56, is famous for her roles in TV shows such as Dynasty and Melrose Place, but she has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, which seems to be exacerbated recently.
Before June 24th’s arrest, Locklear had been hospitalized for mental health issues after she allegedly tried to choke her mother and hit her father. She was held on a 5150 as psychiatrists evaluated whether or not she was suicidal.
In February, Locklear was arrested in a domestic violence case against her boyfriend, who declined to press charges. During that arrest, Locklear threatened to shoot the police officers, and she was charged for attacking them.
Locklear has since voluntarily checked into a rehab center to deal with her mental health issues and substance abuse problems.
The Mercury News said that Locklear’s story is a prime example of how people with mental health issues can face and create danger when met with law enforcement.
“As Locklear’s 911 crises show, encounters between a mentally unstable person and law enforcement can become highly volatile for everyone involved. Advocates say such encounters can also lead to situations that become increasingly frightening for families and friends of a mentally unstable person, who agonize over fears that the encounter will turn deadly,” Mercury News said.
Mental health professionals said that families with members who have mental health problems are scared to call 911 because of dangerous encounters with law enforcement. But this could also mean that people do not receive treatment.
“Because California law requires one to be a danger to oneself or others before they consider an involuntary 5150, we have families waiting too long for help and things can go bad quickly,” Teresa Pasquini, a mental health advocate, told The Mercury News.
Data from the Washington Post showed that 1,000 people were killed by police last year, and mental health often played a part in these deaths.
“People with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than other civilians approached or stopped by law enforcement,” Pasquini said.
- Heather Locklear Arrested for Attacking Police Officer
- Heather Locklear Allegedly Kicked Police Officer During Arrest
- Heather Locklear Entered Rehab Before Being Hospitalized