December 20, 2012

An Atascadero State Hospital patient spent the night in San Luis Obispo County Jail following a violent assault on two ASH employees that left one in the hospital.

Two psychology technicians were attempting to break up an altercation involving two patients around 8 p.m. on Wednesday when Michael Lopez, 24, allegedly began pounding the workers, ASH sources say. One technician, who sustained multiple blows to the head, was transported to Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton. The other psychology technician sustained facial injuries and went home.

Sheriff deputies arrested Lopez for assault likely to result in great bodily harm.

On November 29, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health fined ASH $27,000 for frequent patient assaults on employees from January to September. In the three weeks since Cal/OSHA levied the fine, patients have injured six more employees, including the two injured Wednesday night that led to the arrest of Lopez.

The Cal/OSHA report explaining the $27,000 fine and two additional smaller fines stated that an average of 10 patient caused injuries occurred at ASH from January to September.

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