Scissors Attack Leads to Lawsuit over Hospital Security

Lawsuit accuses hospital and its security team of "gross recklessness”

By Dan Hounsell


While cybersecurity attracts much of the security-related attention in healthcare facilities these days, managers also must keep their eye on more traditional threats to the health and safety of patients and staff.

A former nursing student at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., who was stabbed in the neck during a rampage by a scissors-wielding patient last year is suing the medical facility in state Supreme Court, claiming negligence, according to the Albany Times Union.

Cassidy Taranto, who filed the legal action against Ellis Hospital and its security, contends the two failed to act to prevent the patient from attacking a technician and using scissors to stab Taranto and two nurses. All survived. Taranto suffered serious and permanent injuries, as well as psychological trauma, because of the hospital's alleged failure to act, stated the lawsuit.

The suit accused the hospital and its security team of "gross recklessness and/or intentional, wanton, or malicious conduct aimed at the public.”



May 25, 2021


Topic Area: Security


Recent Posts

Contaminants Under Foot: A Closer Look at Patient Room Floors

So-called dust bunnies on hospital room floors contain dust particles that turn out to be the major source of the bacteria humans breathe.


Power Outages Largely Driven by Extreme Weather Events

Almost half of power outages in the United States were caused by extreme weather events.


Nemours Children's Health Opens New Moseley Foundation Institute Hospital


Code Compliance Isn't Enough for Healthcare Resilience

Intensifying climate risks are pushing hospitals to think beyond code requirements and toward long-term resilience.


Ribbon Cutting Marks First Phase Completion for New Montefiore Einstein Facility

The second phase is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.