A group of former employees at the Independence Mental Health Institute in Iowa has filed a lawsuit against the state, citing a history of dangerous conditions at the facility. The legal action follows years of reports detailing patient assaults on staff members. Attorneys representing the former workers argue that the facility failed to provide security measures, resulting in severe and permanent injuries to caregivers.
One claimant, Lora Smith, reported a violent attack in 2024 while working to deescalate a situation involving a patient. The lawsuit details 133 reported assaults between January 2023 and June 2026. During this period, Buchanan County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the institute 479 times. These statistics underpin the allegation of willful and wanton disregard for the safety of those employed at the state-run site.
The lawsuit names senior administrators at the institute, along with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Legal representatives for the former employees emphasize that the goal of the litigation is to protect current staff members who continue to face high risks of physical harm. Many of the plaintiffs have left their roles, with some exiting the nursing profession entirely due to the nature of the incidents they experienced.
State officials have previously stated that the safety of patients and employees remains a priority but declined to comment on pending litigation. The plaintiffs seek to draw attention to what they describe as a failure to address foreseeable violence. The case remains a focal point for discussions regarding the state of mental health services in Iowa and the protection of workers in high-acuity facilities.