THE ACREAGE, Fla. — A violent incident at Palms West Hospital last year nearly took the life of veteran nurse Leela Lal and has now led her family to file a negligence lawsuit against the hospital. They allege that the attack was foreseeable and that hospital officials disregarded known security issues. At the time of the incident, 67-year-old Lal was working on the hospital’s third floor when patient Stephen Scantlebury assaulted her.
Emergency dispatch calls recorded during the assault revealed a scene of chaos. One caller described the situation as “absolute chaos” and reported that Lal was not breathing after the brutal attack. Scantlebury reportedly fled the scene, making his way down three flights of stairs before being apprehended on Southern Boulevard. Lal was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center with severe injuries, requiring facial reconstruction, and facing a significant brain injury that nearly led to blindness.
Months of rehabilitation followed Lal’s harrowing experience, but her daughter, Dr. Cindy Joseph, emphasizes that her mother’s journey to recovery remains fraught with challenges. “A year has passed, and she’s not where she hoped to be in her healing process. Honestly, she may never return to her previous state,” Joseph stated. Lal continues to grapple with double vision and balance issues, hampering her ability to drive and forcing her to rely on family members for transportation.
On the anniversary of the attack, attorney Karen Terry filed a lawsuit against HCA/Palms West Hospital and Allied Security, citing the hospital’s inadequate security measures. Terry alleged that the hospital had a known history of security failures, including a prior incident where a woman charged into the neonatal intensive care unit and assaulted nurses in 2023. “They had the chance to prioritize the safety of their employees and patients, but they didn’t,” Terry claimed.
The lawsuit contends that the hospital’s management was aware of previous violent incidents and neglected to implement appropriate safety protocols on the third floor. “These failures weren’t isolated; they were systemic and ignored despite numerous staff pleas and regulatory requirements,” the attorneys stated in the complaint. They also highlighted a 911 call made by Dr. Jason Kimbrell, the hospital’s CEO, during the altercation. In the call, Kimbrell expressed concern about the assailant rather than the injured staff member.
Joseph expressed her frustration over the incident, stating, “I’m angry this happened. It was entirely preventable and should never have happened to her.”
Responding to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for HCA Florida Palms West Hospital described the date as a solemn reminder and stressed the hospital’s commitment to staff safety. “Any suggestion otherwise would be misguided,” they stated, adding that two healthcare regulatory agencies had previously reviewed hospital protocols and found no deficiencies. Following the attack, the hospital implemented security upgrades, including the hiring of a sheriff’s deputy for the night shift.
Scantlebury has been charged with attempted murder, and his defense team is reportedly considering an insanity plea as the trial date approaches.
While Lal continues to heal, she is left coping with the aftermath of a tragic night that her family believes changed their lives forever. Allied Security, linked to the hospital’s security issues, declined to comment on pending litigation.