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Couple Sued Over Dinner Guest's Death

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By TODD LESKANIC

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Phillip and Andamantia Rivers often had neighbor Andreas Pieri over for dinner while his wife was out of town. Now the couple find themselves being blamed for his death.

Pieri's wife of 42 years, Thelma, filed suit against the Riverses on Friday saying they failed to adequately help her husband when he choked during dinner on June 22, 2006. Andreas Pieri, 67, died in a hospice about two weeks later.

Thelma Pieri faults the Riverses for not performing the Heimlich maneuver on her husband, according to the complaint. Thelma Pieri and her attorney, James Magazine, could not be reached for comment.

Andamantia Rivers called the incident "unfortunate."

"We'll take it and try and defend it and see how it all works out," she said. "It's a very, very sad situation. That's all I can say."

Attorney Vince Gannuscio, who represents the Riverses, said most medical records he has reviewed indicate Andreas Pieri died of a heart attack. He said one doctor who examined Pieri about a week after the incident said he choked, but no records from the initial incident list choking as a cause of death. Gannuscio said Pieri's death certificate "points to cardiac arrest" as the cause.

When Pieri slumped over in his chair during dinner, Andamantia Rivers called 911 and followed the operator's instructions, Gannuscio said. The operator asked if she knew the Heimlich maneuver, and Rivers said she didn't. The operator then instructed her on what to do until paramedics arrived.

"There's no evidence at all from these records that this man had a choking incident," Gannuscio said. "As soon as this event occurred, they called 911 and did exactly what the 911 operator told them. Paramedics were there within five minutes and found no obstruction in his airway."

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (727) 815-1084 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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