Family of Florida Nurse Attacked by Baker Act Patient Calls for Change

Leelamma Lal, a 67-year-old nurse at Palms West Hospital in Palm Beach, Florida, was severely injured when a Baker Act patient, Stephen Scantlebury, attacked her, breaking nearly every bone in her face. Her family is advocating for immediate changes, including improved security measures and staff training to better handle mental health crises. The attack unfolded when Scantlebury escaped from a CT scan room and violently assaulted Lal, leading to multiple 911 calls from distressed witnesses inside the hospital. Eyewitnesses described the chaos, with one caller stating that the patient was running around the hospital without clothes. The hospital's delayed response and the circumstances leading to the attack have raised significant concerns about existing protocols for managing mental health patients.

Lal's critical condition and the potential for blindness have prompted her family to demand accountability and reform. This incident highlights the broader issue of safety in healthcare environments, particularly concerning the treatment of patients with mental health issues. The family hopes that their advocacy will lead to meaningful changes that protect healthcare workers and improve patient care.