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Artist gets $10,500 after winning false-arrest suit by hospital security

Healthcare Security Weekly, February 2, 2004

An Akron, OH, artist was awarded $10,500 on Tuesday, January 20, after winning a false-arrest suit made against Akron City Hospital security officers, the Plain Dealer reports.

The day after the September 11 terrorist attacks, when the hospital was under a heightened state of security, artist Arthur Webb, 53, was eating lunch at the hospital's cafeteria like he often did. A hospital volunteer told a security officer that the man with the backpack (Webb) looked suspicious, according to court documents. The officer approached Webb, informing him that the cafeteria wasn't open to the public and he must leave.

While Webb agreed to leave, he also requested to take his food with him. Security officers took Webb by the arms to the food area for a container and handcuffed him as he placed his food in the container, the Plain Dealer says.

The security officers said Webb wouldn't show identification and they handcuffed him because he was acting aggressive and loud, the Plain Dealer reports. The security officers also found a marijuana pipe on Webb, who was charged with criminal trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia. The first charge was dismissed and Webb was acquitted of the second charge.

Webb later sued Summa Health Systems, which operates the hospital. In a written statement, the hospital says the security officers acted appropriately and hasn't determined whether it will appeal the verdict.

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