Family wins two claims against hospital who failed suicidal mother

Family wins two claims against hospital who failed suicidal mother

Leah

Leah had a long history of mental illness leading up to her tragic suicide. That day, she attended the Emergency Department but staff failed to recognise the severity of her condition. Leah took her own life after leaving the ED. Leah’s sister and her two young daughters all suffer psychiatric issues as a result. We won two separate negligence claims to ensure all three received sufficient financial support.

Leah’s sister (M) had taken Leah to a public hospital ED for mental health treatment. After 4 hours, Leah had not been seen by a doctor and became very agitated. She walked to an adjacent construction site, climbed a crane and fell to her death.

M and Leah’s two daughters (A and I) all experienced severe PTSD. M was also depressed and developed suicidal tendencies. She was unable to return to work and required her mother’s help caring for her own children. We brought two claims: the first on behalf of M and the second on behalf of A and I. The daughters’ claim also included loss of financial dependency and domestic services from their mother.

Our Medical Negligence team obtained expert evidence from psychiatrists and a forensic accountant. This included a detailed report of A and I’s estimated losses.

The hospital admitted liability for negligence and the claims were settled at two separate mediations.

M’s case settled for the sum of almost $1 million.

A and I’s claims settled for a total sum of $1,019,911.

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