Myrtle Beach Police officers accused of breaking SC woman’s arm while she was handcuffed
A Charleston woman is suing the Myrtle Beach Police Department, accusing arresting officers of breaking her arm while she was handcuffed.
Taylor Paytan claims that officers involved in her arrest used unnecessary force which caused her arm to receive a “displaced comminuted fracture,” a broken bone in two different places.
Meredith Denari, spokesperson for the city of Myrtle Beach, said by text that the city doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
The suit, filed July 22, 2024, claims that the injury occurred when Paytan was arrested about 10:50 p.m. Jan. 7, 2023, while she and two friends were at a Circle K on North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. Police, including officers Thomas Ryan, Sienna Herndon, Saquan LaFontaine, Mark Bechtel, Frank Canzone, Danny Cooper and Zachary White, responded after the friends began arguing, the suit said.
Paytan was eventually handcuffed and placed under arrest for public intoxication/disorderly conduct. Shortly after her arrest, one of the male officers asked Paytan to lift up her hands, which were cuffed behind her back, the suit said. The officer then “violently” pushed Paytan’s bound hands up toward her shoulders, resulting in the fracture of her left humerus, the suit said.
This particular move, pushing the plaintiff’s bound hands upwards, was a violation of Myrtle Beach Police Department’s policies and procedures, and the training the officers had received prior to the incident, the suit said.
Paytan immediately started screaming and complaining of pain. However, instead of taking her to the nearest hospital for treatment, Paytan was transported to the Myrtle Beach Jail by White, the suit said.
She continued to complain of pain in her arm, as well as numbness in her hands. She begged the police officers to take her to the emergency room but was ignored, the suit said.
The correctional staff at the jail “should have immediately recognized” that Paytan had a severe injury that required immediate medical attention and contacted EMS or had her transported to the closest hospital, the suit said.
After continued complaints of pain in her left arm and shoulder, Paytan was finally transported to an emergency room at 12:50 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2023, the suit said. She was unable to answer questions because of the extreme pain and fear for her safety and was taken back to the jail.
She again was taken back to the hospital at 10:59 a.m. Jan. 8 where it was noted that she had swelling and pain to her left humeral area, left wrist and left hand. An x-ray showed the fracture, the suit said.
Paytan underwent surgery and treatment for the fracture on Jan. 19, 2023. Since that time, she has continued to receive extensive medical care to treat her injuries from the incident, the suit said.
The suit asks for a jury trial on claims of gross negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. She is requesting damages for pain, suffering, medical expenses and permanent impairment.
