WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Attorneys were in a Palm Beach County courtroom Thursday in a case related to the brutal attack of an HCA Florida Palms West Hospital nurse earlier this year.
It’s been nearly three months since the nurse, Leelamma Lal, suffered critical injuries after investigators said she was brutally beaten by a patient who was under a psychiatric hold.
Nurse injured in attack ‘beginning to walk on her own’
During a Thursday afternoon court hearing, Judge G. Joseph Curley Jr. denied a gag order in this case, which comes after Lal’s attorneys petitioned the hospital in March for documents and evidence related to the attack.
Known as a “bill of discovery,” Lal’s attorney is looking to obtain certain documents and evidence related to the February attack.
HCA argues that a lawsuit in this case is “improper” and that the workers’ compensation system is providing benefits for medical expenses and lost wages.
A decision on whether or not to dismiss the bill of discovery could come as soon as Friday.
Lal has been hospitalized since Feb. 18 after investigators said she was suddenly attacked by Stephen Scantlebury, which left her with critical injuries.
A spokeswoman for the lawyer representing Lal’s family told WPTV last month that Lal is beginning to walk on her own around the hospital room. She is in physical therapy for several hours each day.
Scantlebury, 33, faces a charge of attempted murder with a hate crime enhancement.
A judge denied a mental competency evaluation for Scantlebury, who remains in custody at the Palm Beach County jail.
READ MORE OF WPTV’S COVERAGE OF THE CASE:
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