A 19-year-old Muslim woman is suing a Michigan hospital after she was viciously attacked by a man while checking into the hospital emergency room in February.
Security camera footage of the incident shows the woman, who was wearing a hijab, speaking to a receptionist at the ER desk at Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn, M.I., when a man approaches her from behind and punches her in the head multiple times.
WATCH: Muslim woman sues Michigan hospital after being attacked by patient
A security guard is then seen rushing to the scene and subduing the assailant, while the victim is led away by the receptionist, clutching her head.
The Detroit News reported that the suspect, 57-year-old John Deliz, had been discharged from the hospital the same day, and was seen lingering in the ER lobby and roaming the hallways. A security officer reportedly told him that he could wait in the area if he sat down and didn’t bother anybody.
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The victim’s lawyer told CBS News that Deliz claimed he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and that he hadn’t been taking his medications.
“The hospital was aware of his condition as he was brought because he needed mental treatment. Instead of treating him, they discharged him into the ER waiting room,” lawyer Majed Moughni told CBS News. “Instead of giving him mental treatment, they put him back in the patient pool, thereby giving way to his attack.”
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, is seeking $25,000 in damages from the hospital, The Detroit News reported. Deliz, who was also named in the lawsuit, is in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in May.