Patient sues more than a dozen BC psych hospital workers for injuries

May 30, 2014

Charges of battery have been leveled against more than  a dozen staff at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam (British Columbia).

Last summer, a disabled patient at the hospital witnessed another patient become violently ill in the open area of the facility.

According to documents filed in BC Supreme Court, the man was calling out for help for the ill patient, but when it didn’t appear to be coming, he became increasingly agitated and demanding.

In response, the documents say as many as 16 male staff at the hospital emerged and took the disabled man to the ground after shackling him.

The injuries are said to be many.

His lawyer says it amounts to “gratuitous violence and deviates from community standards.”

He’s suing for damages.

Source: Janet Brown, "Staff at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam accused of abuse," CKNW AM 980 (Vancouver, BC), May 29, 2014.