Hospital sues nursing school after student allegedly caused patient’s fatal fall

HCA Florida West Marion Hospital has filed a lawsuit against Rasmussen University, alleging one of its students, while earning hands-on clinical hours necessary for a nursing diploma, violated hospital safety protocols, resulting in an 82-year-old patient sustaining injuries that ultimately killed her. 

According to the complaint, the student is now a registered nurse. However, in 2023 Steven Knowles was a nursing student using the facility as part of his education at Rasmussen. Without assistance, he allegedly attempted to move the elderly patient, who fell and suffered severe head injuries. She later died. 

At the time, HCA had a deal with the for-profit college that allowed its students to use the hospital for training purposes. According to the complaint, the two institutions had a liability agreement in place, wherein the university agreed to be held responsible for all “claims, damages and expenses.”

HCA said the school was negligent in allowing Knowles to move around the facility with minimal supervision and failed to ensure he followed all policies and procedures. 

Notably, the hospital said it was sued for medical malpractice over the incident and was forced to settle the case in March 2025 for an undisclosed amount—which HCA argues is fully owed by Rasmussen. It said it’s been attempting to collect the debt since May, with the final correspondence happening in July. 

The university has yet to comment on the allegations. 

For more, read the full story from Ocala-News at the link below.