A Queens cop battling aggressive breast most cancers claims the NYPD’s deputy chief surgeon “harassed” her — forcing her to return to work regardless of having a port implanted in her chest to accommodate chemotherapy, in response to a lawsuit.
Nicole Seaman, 33, stated the transfer to return her to full obligation put her susceptible to a medical emergency “and even death.”
Her medical historical past, together with a number of well being points stemming from her 2018 prognosis, allegedly didn’t matter to NYPD doctor John Santucci, Seaman claimed in a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit towards the town and the physician.
“Why do I care if you have a port or not?” Santucci allegedly advised her. “If you can’t work full duty, you are of no use to the NYPD.”
Seaman joined the pressure in 2014 and was simply weeks into maternity go away after the beginning of her first little one in June 2018 when she received a devastating prognosis: stage 2 “triple negative” breast cancer, “which has the grimmest chance of survival,” she stated within the March 3 authorized submitting.
The illness has a 77% survival charge.
Seaman has endured 12 surgical procedures for the most cancers and reconstruction of her breasts and was out of labor till returning in 2020 on restricted obligation whereas assembly month-to-month with NYPD medical doctors.
Santucci took over her case in 2021 and “would berate her” every time they met, Seaman stated within the lawsuit.
“You don’t know how powerful I am,” he would inform the officer, in response to the lawsuit. “I could have you gone by the end of the day.”
Santucci ordered Seaman to return on full obligation in August, regardless that she nonetheless wants the port and can’t put on a bulletproof vest.
“The NYPD Medical Division would rather berate a police officer fighting for her life against the most aggressive form of breast cancer than accommodate her,” stated her lawyer, John Scola.
Seaman, who’s the second cancer-stricken officer to sue Santucci for harassment, is searching for unspecified damages.
A Law Department spokesman stated the town is reviewing the grievance.
The NYPD declined remark.
Santucci, who’s represented by the Captain’s Endowment Association, declined remark however his union stated cops who’re out an prolonged time frame are referred to an impartial medical board to find out in the event that they’re match for obligation.
“Dr. Santucci followed all the rules and regulations,” stated CEA head Chris Monahan.
nypost.com
