Date: 05-17-2002

Case Style: Letitia Wall v. Chisholm Trail Counseling Services

Case Number: CJ-01-296

Judge: Richard G. Van Dyck

Court: District Court, Grady County, Oklahoma

Plaintiff's Attorney: Jo L. Slama, Tawwater & Slama, LLP, Oklahoma City, OK and Jeff D. Marr, Oklahoma City, OK

Defendant's Attorney: Gerard Pignato, Pignato & Cooper, Oklahoma City and John Stuart, Duncan, OK

Description: Wrongful death/negligence claim: Plaintiff's decedent was taken to Chisholm Trail Counseling Services for an Emergency Order of Detention evaluation after being found by police with a shotgun and two suicide notes. A counselor at the clinic determined decedent was not suicidal and released him. Several hours later Plaintiff's decedent was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $1,500,000.00

Plaintiff's Experts: Douglas Jacobs, M.D., Boston, Massachusetts

Defendant's Experts: Paul Somerville, LCSW

Comments: Reported by: Jo L. Slama