| Details of the Case |
At the age of sixteen, the victim in
this medical malpractice case was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In the
months leading to his death at the age of nineteen he became
self-mutilating and had occasional suicidal ideation. Following an
incident where he punctured his scalp with a nail, an infection set in
necessitating surgery. After one month of hospitalization, he was
transferred to the psychiatric unit of defendant’s extended care
facility for IV antibiotic therapy. The man's room was on the fourth
floor of the building, which had unsecured windows.
Within 24 hours of the his admission to the facility,
he was observed pacing in front of the window and repeatedly opening the
window. He was then put on a one-on-one suicide watch. However, the
nursing attendant positioned himself in such a way that the patient
still had full access to the window.
Due to the attendant's inattention, the man was able
to open the window and jump to his death.
Damages were assessed by a Worcester Superior Court
judge, who found for the plaintiff in the amount of $600,000. The case
was settled for $675,000, which represented the $600,000 damage
assessment plus $75,000 in interest. |
