Medical negligence can take many forms. There are many ways in which a patient in a hospital could be injured. While these ways are often in conjunction with negligent diagnoses, medications or procedures patients undergo, there are other events that could prompt a medical malpractice lawsuit. The actions can be on the part of a variety of workers at hospital and clinics, including doctors and nurses.
While perhaps not the first thing that Pittsburgh residents think of when they hear the phrase medical malpractice, sexual assault of a patient by a nurse, doctor or healthcare provider, could lead to such a claim. Recently it allegedly did occur in a hospital in another state, prompting a lawsuit against both the hospital as well as the nurse who allegedly committed the act.
According to the patient, while she was unconscious, she was sexually assaulted by a male nurse employed by the hospital. The activity reportedly only ended when the attending physician arrived to check on the woman.
In addition to asserting violations of her civil rights, the lawsuit's complaint indicated that she is seeking damages for the following:
- Compensatory and punitive damages for battery
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Negligence
- Negligent hiring
- Retention and supervision
The complaint alleges that she is not the only patient to have been sexually assaulted by this particular nurse. Reportedly two other individuals experienced similar problems with the nurse while receiving treatment at the hospital. Accordingly, the lawsuit also alleged that the hospital failed in its duty to inform authorities of the previous assaults.
There is obviously nothing that can be done to undo the injury inflicted by victims of sexual assault. For some however, in addition to potentially providing financial compensation, filing a civil lawsuit often provides needed emotional closure as well.
Source: Courthouse News, "Patient Claims ER Nurse Molested Her," Elizabeth Warmerdam, Feb. 22, 2013
- We handle personal injury cases including those related to medical malpractice. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Pittsburgh hospital negligence page.