Delnor Patients Can’t Sue Former Guard: Federal Appeals Court

KANE COUNTY, IL — A federal appeals court has determined a correctional guard who unshackled a detainee before a May 2017 hostage situation at Delnor Hospital cannot be sued by two patients who alleged Deputy Shawn Loomis’ actions left them severely traumatized, according to news reports.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court determined Loomis, the former correctional officer, has immunity from the lawsuits as a public official, according to the Chicago Law Bulletin.

Tywon Salters, an inmate, was at the hospital after receiving surgery when he overpowered the deputy supervising him, took his handgun and then demanded a nurse give him her clothes at gunpoint. At some point, another nurse convinced Salters to leave the first nurse and instead take her to a decontamination room near the hospital's emergency department, where she was held for several hours before police came in and shot and killed Salters.

A nurse who was held hostage, raped and had her life threatened received $7.2 million in a lawsuit. Two other nurses who were at the hospital that day have also been compensated for the trauma.

More via the Chicago Law Bulletin