Two patients sue hospital, allege they were unjustly restrained

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Clark County District Court also names Emergency Physicians Medical Group, registered nurse H. Kate Lawlor and Drs. Art Wong, David Golan and James Fenner as defendants.

Hamilton Moore, the attorney representing Erin Lale and Christian Crosier, said his clients were unjustly restrained for 7 1/2 hours while awaiting physical examinations.

The hospital does have a restraint policy, which stipulates that restraints only be used upon a physician's verbal or written order. It also says restraints can only be used if a patient is combative and there is a potential danger of harm to self or others.

Moore said his clients' cases don't fit these circumstances.

Ms. Lale, who had sought counseling in the past, went to the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Center on May 13, 1997. She said she went there after thinking about committing suicide. As a matter of policy, the mental health center sent her to UMC for a routine physical.

Moore said Crosier was sent to the hospital by a roommate who thought he had too much to drink.

Trish Lampro, a spokeswoman for UMC, said the hospital could not comment on a pending lawsuit.

The lawsuit is seeking more than $40,000 in damages.

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