Families sue after two men commit suicide at Hamilton hospitals
HAMILTON — Family members of two men who killed themselves while allegedly under supervision at hospitals in Hamilton are suing the facilities’ parent organization for negligence, claiming the deaths could have been prevented.
A lawyer representing the families alleged on Monday that staff at St. Joseph’s West 5th Campus and St. Joseph’s Charlton Campus knew that the men — Brandon Taylor, 29, and Joel Verge, 42 — were at risk of trying to commit suicide and had been instructed to supervise them.
“Hospitals are supposed to be safe havens for people in crisis,” Michael Smitiuch told a news conference. “Loved ones should be comfortable knowing that when their loved one is under constant or direct supervision that they’re safe.”
Each family is suing St. Joseph’s Health System for $8.5 million in damages.