Long Island Hospital Security Guard on Life Support After Patient Attack Raises Questions About Hospital Negligence

A shocking incident at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre has once again highlighted serious concerns about hospital safety and staffing standards. According to CBS New York, 62-year-old security guard Gardy Coriolan remains on life support after being brutally assaulted by a patient while working an overnight shift in the hospital’s emergency department.

Security Concerns and Staffing Shortages

Mr. Coriolan, a retired Department of Correction officer and school security professional, had reportedly expressed concerns about inadequate staffing levels in the hospital’s emergency unit prior to the attack. His wife, Sonya Coriolan, told reporters that her husband had repeatedly warned that three security officers were not enough to handle volatile situations in a busy emergency room, particularly when psychiatric patients were involved.

Hospitals have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment not only for patients but also for their employees, contractors, and visitors. When a facility fails to provide adequate staffing, security training, or supervision, and an employee is injured as a result, the hospital may be held liable for negligent security or unsafe working conditions.

Hospital Negligence and Duty of Care

In its official statement, Mercy Hospital claimed that its security team was fully staffed and responded appropriately. However, the Coriolan family disputes this, pointing to prior warnings and the hospital’s alleged failure to provide a safe working environment.

From a legal perspective, hospitals can be found negligent if systemic understaffing, poor supervision, or inadequate safety protocols create foreseeable risks of harm. When such failures contribute to catastrophic injuries, victims and their families may have grounds to pursue compensation through a hospital negligence or premises liability claim.

Accountability and Legal Options

While the patient accused of the attack has been charged with assault, the family is calling for more serious charges—and many are questioning whether the hospital itself should also be held accountable.

Victims of hospital negligence, including hospital employees and contractors injured on the job, may be entitled to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. In some cases, both workers’ compensation and a third-party negligence claim against the hospital or a private security contractor may apply.

If you or someone you love has been harmed due to inadequate hospital security, unsafe staffing levels, or negligent supervision, it’s important to speak with an experienced New York hospital negligence lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf to discuss your case.
Call 212-943-1090 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.