In October 2023, a Georgia mental health malpractice jury returned its verdict in the amount of $8.5 million for the suicide death of a patient being treated with anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications but was not properly monitored by his primary care physician while taking the prescribed medications.
The 27-year-old man developed anxiety after moving to Atlanta, Georgia, for his job as a mechanic with Delta Airlines. He sought care from his primary care physician who prescribed an anti-anxiety medication and an anti-depressant medication (Xanax and Citalopram). Less than one month later, the man committed suicide.
The family’s medical malpractice lawyer stated, “You have to do a very good history of your patient. You have to educate your patient on how to use the drug and what sort of signs to look for. Then, as John mentioned, the most important thing is that we know within the first four weeks of taking an anti-depressant there’s an increased risk of suicide.”
A mental health physician stated, “There’s a very important component as well for treating mental illness. It’s therapy. It’s one thing to get certain medications to control certain hormonal levels, but it’s something else to learn how to manage these situations when you’re anxious or you’re depressed or you’re stressed.”
After the jury found the primary care physician and his medical malpractice 51% at fault, the jury awarded the family $8.5 million. The father stated after the verdict, “We were hoping that this would raise awareness of this issue. One thing I Iearned during the trial after listening to the doctor and multiple other sources is that mental illness is more prevalent than we really know.”
Xanax and Suicide
The label for Xanax states, in part: “The use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death … The continued use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose … As with other psychotropic medications, the usual precautions with respect to administration of the drug and size of the prescription are indicated for severely depressed patients or those in whom there is reason to expect concealed suicidal ideation or plans. Panic disorder has been associated with primary and secondary major depressive disorders and increased reports of suicide among untreated patients.”
Xanax (Alprazolam) and Celexa (Citalopram)
Using Xanax (alprazolam) and Celexa (citalopram) together may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
If you or a loved one suffered serious harm as a result of mental health negligence in Georgia or in another U.S. state, you should promptly find a Georgia medical malpractice lawyer, or a medical malpractice lawyer in your state, who may investigate your mental health malpractice claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a mental health malpractice case, if appropriate.
Visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find medical malpractice attorneys in your state who may assist you.
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