THE ACREAGE, Fla. — A year after a violent incident at Palms West Hospital left veteran nurse Leela Lal with severe injuries, her family has initiated a negligence lawsuit against the facility, claiming the assault was predictable and preventable. Lal, then 67, was working on the third floor when authorities say she was assaulted by patient Stephen Scantlebury.
Emergency dispatch recordings from that day reveal the chaotic atmosphere in the hospital. One caller described the scene as “absolute chaos,” while another reported that Lal was unconscious and lying on the floor. Scantlebury allegedly fled down three flights of stairs before being apprehended by law enforcement on Southern Boulevard.
Lal was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she underwent extensive treatment for catastrophic injuries, including facial reconstruction and a traumatic brain injury. Nearly a year later, her daughter, Dr. Cindy Joseph, expressed concerns about her mother’s ongoing recovery. “She is not where she wanted to be in terms of healing and may never fully return to her previous self,” Joseph said. Lal continues to suffer from double vision, balance issues, and relies on family for essential activities.
On the anniversary of the attack, attorney Karen Terry filed suit against HCA/Palms West Hospital and Allied Security. Terry asserted that the hospital had a long-standing pattern of inadequate security measures, emphasizing that they failed to prioritize the safety of patients and staff. The lawsuit also highlights a previous violent incident in 2023 involving a woman who assailed nurses before abducting a newborn from the neonatal intensive care unit.
The complaint states that Palms West Hospital was aware of prior violent episodes, did not ensure adequate security on the third floor, and chose to keep a Baker Act patient on-site instead of transferring him to an appropriate facility. “The hospital’s security failures were systemic, predictable, and ignored despite repeated warnings,” the lawsuit alleges.
Terry referenced a 911 call made by Dr. Jason Kimbrell, the hospital’s CEO, during the attack, wherein he described the assailant as a Baker Act patient who had knocked a staff member unconscious. In response to the dispatcher’s concerns, Kimbrell prioritized dealing with the attacking patient over the well-being of the injured nurse.
Joseph voiced her anger over the incident, stating, “This was preventable; it should never have happened.” She emphasized the emotional and physical toll the attack has taken on her family.
In a statement, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital expressed sympathy for Lal and her family, insisting that the safety and well-being of employees have always been a priority. While the hospital acknowledged the impending legal action, it refrained from commenting on specific allegations, citing prior reviews by regulatory agencies that found no deficiencies in their protocols. The hospital has since implemented enhanced security measures, including hiring a sheriff’s deputy for the night shift.
Scantlebury faces charges of attempted murder, with his case moving toward trial. His defense team has indicated plans to pursue an insanity plea. One year after the incident, Lal continues to navigate the complexities of recovery, facing emotional and physical challenges that have altered her life forever.