When the act of murder is committed, the victim’s family rightfully seeks answers and justice. What about when a family loses someone to suicide? Depending on the circumstances, they may expect the same. Who’s to blame if blame is even necessary, when someone takes their own life? Can someone else be held accountable?
Many loved ones have taken legal action after a suicide had occured. Most recently in the spring of 2018, the widow of a man who jumped off the George Washington Bridge is suing for over $40 million claiming that the bridge’s suicide deterrents were intalled too late. Her husband and four others jumped to their deaths in a span of two months about a year before the lawsuit.
In 2012, a New Jersey family was awarded $1.5 million when Joseph Mazella’s family physician was found guilty of malpractice. Mazella ended his life after side effects from medication like Paxil and Zyprexa lead him to ultimate psychosis. It was discovered that Mazella had been prescriped the medication for ten years without once seeing the doctor.
A few months ago in Southern California, the families of three thirteen year olds announced that they would seek legal action against their school districts when one of the girls hanged herself and two others attempted suicide due to bullying.
Remember when Jim Carrey’s girlfriend died? Her family later sued Carrey accusing him of providing her with the pills tha lead to her suicide. The family dropped the case when Carrey later countersued.
There are many factors involved whrn it comes to handling a suicide suit. Did the accused know the person might do what they did or did they have some involvement? These cases are becoming more popular as the need for suicde prevention is on the rise. At the end of the day, there is a lot left to the unknown and perhaps that’s how it should be.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and would like to reach out, please call 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741.
Article resource: Hogan Injury
the Standing Strong blog 