Settlement in psychiatric care lawsuit

A man seeks help, and doesn't get it. From the Herald Online in Rock Hill, SC

The family of a Rock Hill man who killed himself after being denied admission to Piedmont Medical Center will receive $1 million from the hospital in a lawsuit settlement, according to court documents.

Swain Walter Wright Jr., a 71-year-old father of two, was homicidal and suicidal in December 2001 when he twice sought admission to the psychiatric unit at PMC, the lawsuit says. He hung himself from a tree in his back yard, according to the lawsuit.

Wright's family sued Tenet Healthcare, the parent company of Piedmont Medical Center; Amisub of South Carolina, which does business as Piedmont Medical Center; Dr. Bruce H. Lobitz; and Lynn Murphy, a registered nurse and an employee of Amisub.

Tenet Healthcare and Lobitz later were dropped from the suit.

Amisub, a subsidiary of Tenet Healthcare, will pay $1 million, according to the suit, filed by attorneys Joey Wright and Johnny Felder.

"The family hopes that the tragic loss of their father will cause changes to be made regarding admission of psychiatric patients seeking help at the emergency room of Piedmont Medical Center so that this does not happen to anyone else," Wright said.

Swain Wright had struggled with the death of his wife of 38 years and his retirement after 40 years with Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Co., Joey Wright said.

"He had never had any psychiatric problems," Joey Wright said. "It is felt that if Mr. Wright had received appropriate counseling, he would have been able to deal with his problems."

Charles Miller, PMC's chief executive officer and president, referred questions to Spartanburg attorney Billy Gunn. He could not be reached for comment.

At issue in the lawsuit was Swain Wright's request for treatment in PMC's psychiatric unit. [...]

The suit is the second one settled by the hospital since March 19. The family of Herbert Cogan received $1.77 million in a wrongful death lawsuit after he was given the wrong drug because of a doctor's error.