Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC proudly announces that partner Donn Alexander and associate Tyler Draper Miller recently obtained a unanimous defense verdict in a complex psychiatric malpractice case involving alleged catastrophic and permanent injuries. The trial involved a 23-year-old plaintiff who was involuntarily admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility for court ordered evaluation after developing psychosis and delusions. Plaintiff received extensive psychiatric care, treatment, and therapy at the facility over the course of approximately eighteen days. Plaintiff claimed that he was not psychiatrically stable or properly medicated at the time of his discharge from the facility and decompensated almost immediately following his release. It was alleged that, as the result of his allegedly premature discharge and subsequent psychiatric crisis, the Plaintiff deliberately ran onto a highway less than 48 hours following his discharge and was struck by a vehicle at high speed. Plaintiff sustained numerous severe and life-threatening injuries, including but not limited to a fractured femur, fractured ribs, multiple lacerations, fractured facial bones, a collapsed lung, and a fractured skull resulting in what Plaintiff claimed was a severe traumatic brain injury. It was argued that the Plaintiff can no longer work due to his brain injury, now has the capacity of a 10-year-old, and is reliant on his parents and family members for routine activities of daily living.
Plaintiff argued at trial that the defendant psychiatrist’s care and treatment of the plaintiff fell below the standard of care in numerous respects and caused Plaintiff’s injuries and damages. Plaintiff’s claims included issues pertaining to allegedly negligent medication management, the inappropriate use of psychodynamic therapy, and improper and premature discharge. Defendant, a District Medical Group provider, denied liability and maintained that the standard of care was met. The seven-day jury trial included testimony from ten witnesses. Plaintiff requested $8 million in closing argument. After deliberating for approximately three hours, the jury of 10 members returned a unanimous defense verdict in the Defendant psychiatrist’s favor.
Donn Alexander focuses his practice in the area of health care litigation, with a particular emphasis on hospital defense, medical malpractice, drug and medical device litigation, and defense of long-term care facilities. He represents local and national health care clients, including general and specialty hospitals, physicians, Fortune 500 drug and medical device companies, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, laboratories, pharmacies, outpatient surgery centers and ancillary service providers. Donn has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal court, and represented clients in arbitration, mediation and administrative proceedings.
dalexander@jshfirm.com | 602.235.7152 | jshfirm.com/professionals/dalexander/
Tyler Miller joins our Healthcare Trial Group as a new associate attorney in the Phoenix office. He focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice, hospital defense, long-term care, behavioral health, and medical products liability.
tmiller@jshfirm.com | 602.263.4497 | jshfirm.com/professionals/tmiller/