Depression is often difficult to properly diagnose and if someone is committed to ending their own life, preventing it is not always an option. But if someone is admitted to a hospital precisely because he or she attempted suicide, then perhaps it should be assumed the patient may try it again.
That's what the family of deceased Northwestern Memorial Hospital patient Karen Graham is arguing in its wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital (WBBM Chicago). Graham openly expressed disappointment that she botched her suicide attempt but hospital staff did not take steps to make sure she couldn't try it again, according to the complaint.
Family members claim she was left alone in her room instead of being put on suicide watch. The article did not say how she killed herself on Aug. 6, 2004, just one day after she was admitted.
Graham's family is suing for wrongful death and survival, claiming pecuniary damages in excess of $50,000.
Similarly, an elderly woman named Alice Davis died at a Highland, Ill. hospital after an unsuccessful attempt to climb out of bed. It wasn't ruled a suicide (Madison Record), but the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Davis' family alleges negligence on behalf of hospital staff for not taking necessary precautions even though they knew she was a fall risk.
In this case, hospital employees attached a "close call" device to her gown to alert them whenever Davis tried to leave her bed. The suit alleges that the nurses' station was not alerted of her attempt to climb out of bed.
They are claiming damages for the loss of her support, society, companionship, felicity, guidance and instruction.
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The difference between wrongful death and a survival action (Personal Esquire, via DocStoc)
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Directory of Chicago injury lawyers (FindLaw)
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