Myrtle Beach police officer fractured woman’s arm, department denied her medical care for hours, lawsuit claims

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A Myrtle Beach police officer fractured a woman’s arm while she was handcuffed, with the department then denying her medical care for more than two hours as she cried out in pain, a newly filed lawsuit claims.

Paytan Taylor is suing the city and police department on grounds of negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to a July 22 complaint made in Horry County Common Pleas Court.

Taylor and a group of friends were stopped by officers shortly before 11 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2023 at a North Kings Highway Circle K, where Taylor was arrested on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

With Taylor’s hands behind her back, an officer “violently pushed” them up toward her shoulders, causing her left humerus to fracture, according to the lawsuit.

“As a result, the Plaintiff immediately started screaming and complaining of pain,” the complaint states — a maneuver “in conscious violation” of the departmental policies and procedures.

Myrtle Beach spokeswoman Meredith Denari said the city doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department’s 15-page use of force guidelines were last revised on Nov. 17.

When assessing the need to use force, or the appropriate level of force, response based on the totality of the circumstances of the situation, police officers should consider the nature and extent of any threat posed by the subject or subjects,” the policy states. “Officers can decide to escalate or deescalate force response as necessary in order to overcome resistance, protect
themselves and others and achieve lawful objectives.”

Taylor was booked and processed at the city’s jail while still complaining of arm pain, according to her lawsuit.

“She begged the police officers to take her to the emergency room but was ignored,” the lawsuit says.

At 11:21 p.m., Taylor was booked into the jail and put into a cell.

“It was noted on her booking report that the Plaintiff was taken straight to a cell and was unable to sign for property or answer medical questions because of her severe pain,” according to the suit.

At 12:50 a.m. on Jan. 8, Taylor was transported to McLeod Health Carolina Forest for evaluation and then returned to her cell within 40 minutes.

Taylor was brought back to the ER just before 11 a.m. after visible swelling and her inability to move her left wrist and left hand.

Doctors took an X-ray revealing the fracture. Taylor underwent surgery on Jan. 19.

Taylor is seeking unspecified financial damages.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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