Parents of Disabled Man Sue Group Home For Self-Inflicted Burn Injuries

By Merylee Robbins

Published on September 08, 2005

After being hit by a car at age 4, Ivan Smith sustained a traumatic brain injury that left him brain damaged for the rest of his life. Ivan's brain damaged state has rendered him a danger to himself by triggering a hazardous preoccupation with fire. Upon Ivan's admission to the Bankroft Neurohealth group home, the Smiths and officials at the facility agreed that Ivan needed be kept under constant supervision, and that under no circumstances was he to have access to lighters or matches.

On January 21, 2004 Ivan was determined to be culpable for a small fire set at the facility. The Fire Marshal at the scene warned Bankroft officials that Ivan needed to be kept on strict watch to prevent further incidents from occurring. Later that day, Ivan set himself on fire in the bathroom causing damage to his trachea and severe burns to his leg, which later required that the lower portion of his right leg be amputated.

The Smiths have filed a lawsuit against the facility seeking compensation for Ivan's burn injuries. The suit alleges that Ivan's injuries were the result of negligent care that he received at Bankroft Neurohealth group home.

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