Defense Verdict in Attempted Suicide Case

Defense Verdict in Attempted Suicide Case

Partner John M. Bugliosi and Associate Valerie A. Ruocco obtained a Defense Verdict. In this matter, Plaintiff claimed failure to prevent a suicide. The Plaintiff was treated for depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance and allegedly attempted suicide by stabbing himself in the chest and then climbed a ladder and jumped off the roof of his home. He suffered numerous broken bones including a displaced pelvic fracture requiring a lengthy surgery during which he lost half of his blood volume and woke up bilaterally blind. The plaintiffs’ attorney asked for $5,000,000 during summation. The jury deliberated for 35 minutes (after our psychiatry expert provided very effective testimony). When they returned after about an hour or so, they returned a defense verdict.