Liam Corey’s Testimony
On April 20, 2019, Specialist Liam Corey was involved in a hit and run accident in Austin, TX. Liam suffered a vertical shear pelvic fracture and torn urethra. After two surgeries, Liam remained at Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, TX until he was transferred to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Center on April 29, 2019. Seventeen days later, Liam was discharged from the rehabilitation center to the barracks at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Transportation was not arranged between Encompass Health Rehabilitation Center in Austin, TX to Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. Liam’s mother planned a two-day trip from Connecticut to Texas to ensure there was a smooth transition from the rehabilitation center to the military base. Since transportation was not arranged, a friend used her personal ve hicle to drive Liam to Fort Hood. They packed the wheelchair along with a bag of prescriptions Liam was on. This included more than 14 medications, including narcotics. When discharged from the rehabilitation center, Liam and his mother were told they would have 24/7 care, PT and OT would come to his room at the base in Fort Hood.
Liam had an extensive RX regimen to control his pain. He needed constant care for the suprapubic catheter, discharge instructions included Liam’s need to have someone with him to perform anything physical as he was still dependent on the wheelchair and could not perform daily activities, Liam was transferred from a third-floor room to the first floor in a room that was completely non-compliant. The medications did not have a place to be stored securely or someone to properly administer them as there wasn’t any access to a medical professional. This resulted in Liam being driven to the Emer gency Room that same evening. After several hours in the ER, Liam was told, “We didn’t even know about you.” A full 27 days from the accident, there were members of the U.S. Army just learning of Liam’s status and condition, despite the Sergeant’s interactions with Liam.
Liam was admitted to the Darnell Carney Hospital at Fort Hood for four days, Liam was transferred to the Warrior Transition Unit. It was clear, the transition was not going well. His mother’s two-day trip lasted until September 21, 2019 (128 days) with her living in the barracks to provide the care needed. From the date of the accident and many visits to the ER, it took 72 days to get admitted to the VA Polytrauma Medical Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio, TX. After being discharged from the VA Polytrauma Medical Rehabilitation Center and transferred to Fort Sam Houston in San Anto nio. Liam and his mother waited another 21 days to get into the Center for the Intrepid at Fort Sam so the physical therapy Liam needed could begin. They were transferred to Fort Sam but due to paperwork issues between Fort Hood and Fort Sam, Liam and his mother sat for 21 days before physical therapy could begin. Liam’s surgery for his torn urethra could not begin until his pelvis was stable and strong enough to endure a six-eight-hour surgery.
The negligence to transfer a soldier to the barracks on an extensive RX regimen which included narcotics and the inability to self-medicate was a recipe for a more complex medical condition or, worse, a potential overdose. The incompetence to transfer a soldier to a non-compliant facility to handle the physical and medical demands Liam required is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that it wasn’t until August 2, 2019, to be fully assigned to Fort Sam where the proper services could begin at the Center for the Intrepid. We were told by an orthopedic doctor at Fort Hood, Liam’s type of accident has a survival rate of less than 5%, if one were to survive the accident he endured. it would be a lower per centage to not be paralyzed. We were told if Liam were to walk again, it would be “a big deal.” If Liam were to run again, it would be “a super big deal.” We were told by the orthopedic at Fort Hood, they would not be able to provide appropriate medical attention to Liam should he require it. Our days at Fort Hood were spent transporting Liam from one appointment to the next, several emer gency room visits, speaking to Officers in Command and doctors where there was overwhelming consensus that Liam was not where he needed to be. During one emergency room visit, a doctor told me there wasn’t any additional RX he could give Liam as his current medication “would kill a horse.” Other words that still haunt me are when I was told to give Liam “tough love” by the commander in charge. These words were said while we awaited proper care and already 60+ days after his injury.
Liam was one of the lucky ones. He survived and received a medical discharge from the U.S. Army. However, someone in the U.S. Army should have known and understood the immediate needs Liam required. These needs should have been attended to and not have taken four months to provide the treatment needed. Liam is very fortunate he did not get addicted or overdose on the narcotics he was on due to the negligent care he received. Liam had a parent that was by his side, helping in his re covery while the military was negligent in providing appropriate care and advocating for his health.