Nursing school instructor sued for allegedly touching student with dirty hands

DONALDSONVILLE – A former nursing school student is suing her former teacher claiming unsanitary conditions led to her fear of infection.

Ralfiel Stell filed suit on April 16 against Lorraine Raffery and Capital Area Technical College in 23rd Judicial District Court.

Stell claims when she attended the school for a few months the environment was unsanitary. The plaintiff also claims to have been ostracized by the class, given a zero grade on the first day of class in order to intimidate her and was put in harm's way by the teacher.

Stell alleges during a clinical rotation the students in the class were treating a patient with dangerous staph infection and that the instructor began to clean the patient's ear with an ungloved hand before placing the same hand on the patient to provide instruction.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for pain and suffering, fear for health and safety and a deferment of a nursing career.

Raffery is representing herself.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Jessie Leblanc.

Case number 103457