Woman says Psychological Assessment & Intervention Services put her in danger

HUNTINGTON – A woman is suing Psychological Assessment & Intervention Services, Inc., after she claims it put her in danger by having her work with a violent man.

Shawn Shumbera was also named as a defendant in the suit.

Ashleigh J. Tarpley was an employee of PAIS and was assigned to work with, according to a complaint filed Jan. 30 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Tarpley claims her job duties required her to work in close contact with Shumbera, assisting him with his daily living activities such as cooking, doing dishes, laundry and accompanying him in public outings.

PAIS was aware and had knowledge that Shumbera had violent propensities and in particular, violent propensities and aggressiveness toward females, according to the suit.

Tarpley claims PAIS chose not to disclose this information with her and otherwise did not inform her that Shumbera had violent propensities.

PAIS also knew that Tarpley had worked only with non-violent patients up to the time she was assigned and required to work with Shumbera, according to the suit, and knew that Tarpley had not received the requisite training regarding the treatment of patients with violent propensities.

Tarpley claims PAIS chose not to provide her with adequate and necessary training to work with violent patients.

As part of her employment, Tarpley was also required to work with Shumbera by herself in his apartment, which contained sharp and dangerous kitchen items, such as knives, according to the suit.

Tarpley claims on April 10, 2011, on her third day of working with Shumbera, he attacked her, detained and held her against her will and stabbed her with a knife.

Shumbera attempted to stab Tarpley in or near the throat, according to the suit, but Tarpley was able to block and thwart Shumbera’s efforts by shielding her neck with her arm and hand, resulting in Shumbera stabbing her left hand with the knife.

Tarpley claims Shumbera continued to attack her and only stopped when she was able to escape from him and flee to another room to call 911.

As a result of the attack, Tarpley sustained significant and severe injuries to her left hand; great physical, mental and emotional pain, suffering and distress; permanent injury; lost wages; a diminished earning capacity; medical expenses; psychological injury; aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience; and other damages, according to the suit.

Tarpley is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by S. Douglas Adkins.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-73