Staff allegedly failed to assess worker who later stabbed parents and nurse
A nurse in Manitoba who was stabbed by her coworker has filed a case against authorities for an error in judgment which allowed one worker to cause harm to others.
Candyce Szkwarek, 67, sued Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Shared Health on Friday, alleging staff negligence at Winnipeg's Crisis Response Centre resulted in bloody attacks within hours, according to a report from The Canadian Press published on CTV News.
On Oct. 26, 2021, when the suspect, Trevor Farley – who had worked as a nurse at Seven Oaks General Hospital in Winnipeg – reported to staff members at the crisis centre that he was experiencing delusions, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.
Farley went to the Mental Health Crisis Response Centre in Winnipeg to seek help for mental health issues, and spent the night there, CBC previously reported.
Staff at the centre then placed Farley under an involuntary hold. An individual under an involuntary hold must be transferred to an in-patient psychiatric ward for assessment. Until this is done, the person should be moved to a locked room and remain under constant supervision by staff, according to The Canadian Press report, citing the lawsuit.
However, staff failed to "adequately assess Farley at the crisis response centre and appreciate the risks he posed to himself and others,” according to the report.
Farley walked out of the centre later that day and staff members called police.
Later on, Farley killed his father and then his mother. He then stabbed Szkwarek at the hospital.
Szkwarek suffered significant injuries to her abdomen, internal organs and her right arm. She spent four months in hospital.
Szkwarek has been unable to work since the attack. With the lawsuit, she is seeking compensation for loss of income, damages for injuries, including pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Witness files separate case
Meanwhile, another worker has also filed a case against Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Shared Health after she witnessed the stabbing incident.
Lori Schellenberg, 48, was a manager of renal services at the hospital when she witnessed the attack on Szkwarek. She provided crisis management to bystanders and staff.
She was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and has been off work since December 2021.
“Lori Schellenberg did all she could to assist her co-workers immediately after the attack that takes a toll and Ms. Schellenberg is suffering for doing what she was trained to do,” said the law firm that represents Szkwarek and Schellenberg, according to The Canadian Press report.
The lawsuits come after, earlier this month, a judge ruled that Farley was not criminally responsible for attacking Szkwarek and killing his mother and father.
Three of Farley's siblings had previously filed a lawsuit against the health authorities. They allege that inadequate care by crisis centre staff resulted in the deaths of their parents, Stuart Farley and Judy Swain.
In September 2022, a 73-year-old New Brunswick man walked out of court after serving six months in prison for assaulting a nurse manager and a nurse, admitting he could “snap again”.
