Portland, Oregon – The family of a security guard who tragically lost his life in a shooting at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center has filed a lawsuit against the facility, seeking $35 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the hospital, claiming that they failed to address the dangers posed by the gunman who took the guard’s life.
The estate of Bobby Smallwood, the security guard who was killed, asserts that the medical center did not enforce its policies against violence and weapons in the workplace, despite staff members reporting threats and aggressive behavior by the shooter in the days leading up to the incident. According to the wrongful death complaint filed by the family, Legacy Good Samaritan allowed the dangerous individual to remain on the premises for three days, despite documented threats and abusive behavior that warranted immediate removal under hospital policy.
Tom D’Amore, the attorney representing Smallwood’s family, stated that the hospital’s repeated failures to follow safety protocols directly led to the preventable death of Bobby Smallwood. The hospital, on the other hand, declined to comment on the pending litigation. The shooting at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center is part of a concerning trend of gun violence in U.S. hospitals and medical centers, where incidents have been on the rise, highlighting the challenges the healthcare industry faces in ensuring a safe work environment for its employees.
The gunman, identified as PoniaX Calles, had been reported for outbursts, violent behavior, and threats on multiple occasions leading up to the shooting. Despite these reports, it took over 40 minutes from the discovery of firearms in his possession to Smallwood’s tragic death. The hospital did not initiate an emergency code for an active shooter until after Smallwood had already been shot. Smallwood’s family has been deeply impacted by his death, expressing their profound grief and loss in a statement released by their attorney.
In response to the shooting, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center announced plans to enhance security measures, including the installation of additional metal detectors, bag searches, and equipping security officers with stun guns. Around 40 states have passed laws to address violence against healthcare workers, with hospitals increasingly arming security officers with various weapons for protection. The tragic incident has sparked discussions about the safety of healthcare workers and the need for stronger measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.