Failed suicide victim sues hospital

Why don’t you tell the rest of the story. This loser not only had his case thrown out, but he has to pay the legal costs for the defense! Why doesn’t this happen in the US (this took place in Australia):

“Mr Walker sued the Sydney West Health Service for negligence, claiming not enough was done to care for him prior to the accident.

He claimed the hospital should have prescribed him anti-depressant or anti-psychotic medication, counselled him and detained him as an involuntary patient for at least two weeks for assessment.

But NSW Supreme Court Justice Carolyn Simpson today dismissed Mr Walker’s negligence lawsuit, ruling that Sydney West Area Health Service staff had not failed to act “in a manner that … was widely accepted in Australia by peer professional opinion as competent professional practice”.

Justice Simpson found hospital doctors had assessed Mr Walker and decided not to give him anti-depressants because he refused to give up drinking alcohol, which could cause a reaction with the medication.

She also found the health service conducted home visits after his discharge, during which he reported feeling better.

Justice Simpson ordered Mr Walker to pay the health service’s legal costs.”