Court dismisses claims against Reykjavik City in emergency shelter assault case

A staff member at an emergency shelter on Lindargata in Reykjavik was assaulted in April 2019, resulting in a temporary inability to work. The shelter has 25 beds and offers evening snacks and breakfast. Each month, about 20 incidents of violence occur at shelters for the homeless in the city.

In a recent ruling, a district court dismissed all claims against Reykjavik City regarding the assault. This decision is currently being appealed. The former staff member filed a lawsuit in 2023, seeking recognition of liability for bodily harm incurred during the incident.

The attack happened during a night shift when a client assaulted the staff member over the absence of a coat the client was looking for. The court noted that the dispute arose because the staff member was restricted by protocol from searching for the item independently.

Earlier this week, it was reported that shelters on Lindargata and Grandi, as well as other city facilities, face about 22 violence-related incidents monthly. The head of homeless affairs for Reykjavik City stated that in a small number of cases, the violence targets staff members.

Despite the prevalence of incidents, there has been a decrease in violence cases in shelters year over year. The court’s ruling suggested that the staff member did not exercise the expected caution, noting that he entered a difficult situation alone without a communication device as recommended by guidelines. The attorney representing the staff member stated that the case has been appealed to the Supreme Court, although the timeline for reconsideration is uncertain.