Settlement reached in Centennial hospital case involving sexual assault of patient

An undisclosed settlement was reached Wednesday in a civil case involving a patient who was sexually assaulted in 2008 at Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center.

The case was scheduled to go to trial Monday in District Judge Richard Scotti's courtroom.

Attorneys on both sides of the case declined to comment on the resolution or provide details. Centennial attorney John Bemis said the settlement is "subject to terms of confidentiality."

The plaintiff, who filed the case in 2009 as Jane Doe, was one of five female patients who were victimized at the Las Vegas hospital by certified nursing assistant Steven Farmer. She killed herself in 2013 at age 56, but her estate continued to pursue the lawsuit.

Farmer, now 63, is serving a sentence of 30 years to life at Ely State Prison.

In November, Scotti imposed severe sanctions on Centennial for intentionally concealing evidence in the case.

The judge's order struck Centennial's answer in the case — a move that established liability against the hospital. At trial, Centennial would have been allowed to defend itself only on the question of damages.

Scotti also imposed a monetary sanction in the amount of $18,000.

Centennial filed a motion for reconsideration, which the judge denied earlier this month.

According to Scotti's recent order, Centennial's management "exhibited an unlawful pattern of suppression and denial over the course of years to plaintiff's detriment."

"This sanctionable behavior by Centennial, notwithstanding the similarly odiferous denials and inconsistencies proffered by its counsel, requires the remedial sanctions this court imposed."

In her lawsuit, Doe asserted two claims against the hospital: negligent failure to maintain the premises in a safe manner, and "respondeat superior" liability for the sexual assault by Farmer. "Respondeat superior" is a legal doctrine that holds an employer responsible for the actions of an employee or agent if those actions occur within the course of employment.

Farmer was convicted in February 2014 of several criminal charges for victimizing five female patients in 2008 at Centennial.

Jurors found Farmer guilty of sexually assaulting two women, including Doe, who sought treatment after suffering seizures in May 2008. The panel also found him guilty of indecent exposure and multiple counts of open or gross lewdness for his behavior with three other patients.

Prosecutors played Doe's videotaped testimony during the criminal trial. She said the lingering effects of a seizure prevented her from speaking or moving while Farmer used his fingers to sexually assault her.

The other sexual assault victim also sued the hospital, and her case resulted in a confidential settlement in September 2013.

At the time of the assaults, Centennial had a contract with American Nursing Services Inc., which sent Farmer to the hospital to work as a certified nursing assistant. Doe's estate also settled with American Nursing Services on Wednesday.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710. Find her on Twitter: @CarriGeer