Florida Nurse Files $5 Million Lawsuit After Brutal ER Attack, Claims Inadequate Security
Surveillance video captures a patient assaulting registered nurse Yanira Eguileor, who alleges hospital and county negligence.
A registered nurse in Florida is pursuing a $5 million lawsuit against Jackson Memorial Hospital and Miami-Dade County, alleging negligent supervision and inadequate security after she was violently attacked by a patient in the emergency room. The incident, captured on surveillance footage, shows patient Rubin Wenyou, 44, repeatedly punching nurse Yanira Eguileor and knocking her to the floor.
Eguileor stated that the attack, which occurred on May 30, happened quickly and without any visible security personnel present. "He started punching me in the back of my head," Eguileor told WSVN. "He punched me a total of three times." She was subsequently thrown to the ground, hitting her head and requiring medical treatment, including CT scans of her brain, neck, and spine. Her attorney, Michael Pizzi, described the video as "graphic" and "frightening," asserting that Eguileor, a veteran nurse, received no protection during the assault.
The attack took place in Jackson Memorial's recently opened emergency department, a facility that reportedly cost over $300 million. Eguileor's attorney claims the hospital "did not provide any security whatsoever."
Jackson Health, however, disputes these claims, stating that security personnel were assigned to the hospital at the time of the incident. "We have four dedicated Jackson public safety specialists assigned to the Jackson Memorial emergency room 24 hours a day, seven days a week – including the date of this incident," the health system said in a statement. "In addition, we have two off-duty Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies on campus at all times." The hospital also noted that a public safety officer arrived at the scene within seconds, with others responding shortly after.
Wenyou had been involuntarily detained for a mental health evaluation prior to the attack and initially faced a felony battery charge. However, the charge was later dropped by prosecutors. Eguileor expressed shock, stating she was never contacted by the state attorney's office to provide her account. The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office responded that attempts were made to reach victims but received no response, preventing them from proceeding. The office indicated the case could be reviewed for refiling if appropriate contact information is provided.
Pizzi also filed a whistleblower lawsuit to protect Eguileor from alleged retaliation and stated that obtaining the surveillance footage required suing both the hospital and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
