The estate of a woman who committed suicide is suing Northwestern Memorial Hospital for wrongful death.
On August 5, 2004, Marilee Graham became a patient of the hospital and on August 6, 2004, she committed suicide, the complaint states.
The complaint asserts that Northwestern Memorial Hospital "carelessly and negligently left [Marilee] alone in a room with the means and opportunity to commit suicide."
The complaint also states that Marilee Graham had numerous risk factors for suicide, including her recent suicide attempt, which the hospital failed to consider.
Read the complaint after the jump.
Read a similar case here.
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5 Comments
anthony bozeman said:
Are they serious she kill herself and had they sent her home will the hospital still be at fault.People need to put the blame on the person who was at fault the one who committed suicide not the hospital.
LeeS773 said:
In this case, had the hospital sent her home they would still be at fault for her death. This is precisely why a physican CAN hold someone that is mentally ill against their will.
John Sheehan said:
According to the attending physicians notes, Ms. Graham was diagnosed as a threat to herself and was involuntarily committed with full documentation of a recent suicide attempt. Staff guidelines also apparently were in place but were neglected by those in attendance on the ward, according to the complaint. Visual oversight for 24 hours is the recognized best standard practice in such cases.
Lawbro said:
Interesting Mr. Bozeman, blame the mentally ill person for being mentally ill.
How about we hold the individuals who are supposed to be professionals, the people who are in the business of caring for and protecting that patient responsible when they fail to do their job.
LeeS773 said:
Evan an RN taking care of this patient would be liable for neglect as the minimum standard of care was not followed. Even if the physician or hospital placed her in a lower standard of care an RN is a professional and responsibile for their own practice.
Interesting how they phrase the likely attempts at cardiac resuscitation as severe shock with external and internal damage to her nervous system. I understand they wouldn't have had to shock her if they cared for her properly... but do you really want to make people think twice before trying to save you?
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