SEATTLE – The parents of a 23-year-old University of Washington (UW) student who committed suicide in 2005 have filed a lawsuit against the university’s medical center, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
The student, John Hoover, was taken to the UW Medical Center in May 2005 after he intentionally cut his wrists with a kitchen knife. After being questioned by hospital staff, Hoover admitted to having constant thoughts of wanting to commit suicide. He specifically mentioned having the urge to jump off a bridge or a building.
Hoover’s parents claim that he was not admitted at the hospital, nor were mental health professionals contacted. Hoover was released later that night, and two weeks later, he jumped from a 16th-floor window. Two hours after jumping, he was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center.
The lawsuit states that the Hoover’s death could have been prevented. In addition, it adds that the student was not at fault due to his mental state.
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