Girl's Eye Punctured by Immunization Needle, Suit Says

A girl taken to a clinic for an immunization two years ago had her eye punctured with a needle when the staff failed to restrain her, a federal lawsuit filed Monday claims.

Tanisha Thurman is suing Access Community Health Network for more than $500,000 over the Aug. 14, 2007 incident.

Thurman said she took her daughter to the Westside Family Health Center, in the 3700 block of W. 16th St. to receive an immunization. During the visit, an employee of the clinic struck and punctured Looney’s left eye, the suit says, leaving her with "pain, disability and visual impairment of the eye."

Thurman claims Access Community Health Network -- a private company that operates the center and receives federal grant money -- was negligent and failed to properly restrain her daughter.