Coos Bay Nursing Home Sued For Sexual Harassment
On November 13, 2018, this office filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Oregon, in Eugene, on behalf of a nurse who was sexually harassed and assaulted by a resident while working in the Life Care Center of Coos Bay. A copy of the complaint is available here.
Employers have a responsibility under the law to create a work environment free of sexual harassment. Care facilities have a responsibility under the law to protect patients. These two responsibilities cross over when a patient attacks a nurse.
But, the two responsibilities are not in conflict. Providing the proper staffing, policies, training, care plans, and other measures to create a safe environment protects both staff and patients.
This lawsuit alleges that Life Care Center of Coos Bay failed to do those things, putting staff and patients at risk. If you know anyone who has been hurt by sexual harassment in a care facility, encourage them to reach out and get help.
Jillian Ward at The World is providing ongoing reporting on this issue. Her article, "Lawsuit filed against Life Care Center of Coos Bay," is available here.
