Resident says health facility didn't provide proper security

WHEELING - A resident at an Ohio County health facility filed a suit against the facility after he was injured by a fellow resident.

The plaintiff, identified only as C.S., filed a suit May 9 in Ohio Circuit Court against Northwood Health Systems. C.S. claims Northwood failed to provide adequate security at its facility.

According to the suit, C.S. was at Northwood for mental health treatment. On May 10, 2005, a resident picked up a steel-framed chair and hit C.S. over the head, neck, back and shoulders.

C.S. sustained a broken shoulder during the incident, but claims Northwood failed to call the police or an ambulance. He claims he was told to walk to the emergency room if he thought he was injured.

According to the suit, C.S. had witnessed the resident fight with other resident, steal materials from others and set a trashcan on fire.

C.S., through attorney Kathy A. Brown, seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Ohio Circuit Court case number 07-C-193