Suicide Attorney Skip Simpson Discusses Report Stating Many Doctors Miss Warning Signs Of Suicide
Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) March 17, 2014 -- Commenting on a news report stating that many doctors fail to pick up on warning signs of suicide, attorney Skip Simpson of the Law Offices of Skip Simpson today said he hopes the findings serve as a call to action for healthcare professionals nationwide.
Simpson expressed his comments in response to an article published by Philly.com about the study. (Philly.com, “Too Often, Doctors Miss Suicide's Warning Signs: Study,” Feb. 27, 2014).
“Our law firm has seen time and again how many doctors fail to identify and treat patients who are most at risk,” said Simpson, whose firm represents families nationwide who have lost loved ones because of negligence by healthcare professionals. “Physicians need to spot mental health problems and take action to assess a patient’s mental health and suicide risk. Tragically, this isn’t happening in many cases, as this report illustrates.”
Brian Ahmedani, an assistant scientist in the Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, wrote the study, according to Philly.com. Ahmedani’s team analyzed the medical records of 5,900 people who died by suicide between 2000 and 2010 in eight states.
The study found that 83 percent of people who died by suicide received medical care within the past year, including 20 percent of people who met with a health care worker the week before they died, according to Philly.com. Even so, only 45 percent of these patients were diagnosed with a mental health problem, according to the study reported by Philly.com.
“Greater efforts need to be made to assess mental health and suicide risk. And because most visits occurred in primary care or medical specialty settings, suicide prevention in these clinics would likely reach the largest number of individuals,” Ahmedani said in the article published by Philly.com.
Attorney Simpson added, “The time for action is now. In my experience as an advocate for families who have lost loved ones, I have seen too many cases where a healthcare professional failed to help an at-risk patient. These doctors and specialists must receive and use their training to reach out to patients who need help.”
About The Law Offices of Skip Simpson
For over thirty years, Skip Simpson has been practicing law, focusing on psychiatric and psychological malpractice, suicide lawsuits, as well as personal injury civil, commercial and criminal litigation. Nationally recognized for his expertise in suicide law, he is considered a pioneer in the field of suicide litigation and has represented families who have lost loved ones to suicide around the country.
Family members whose loved one died by suicide and want to know more about their legal rights should seek the help of an experienced suicide attorney by calling (214) 618-8222 or completing the online contact form.
The Law Offices of Skip Simpson
2591 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300
Frisco, Texas 75034
(214) 618-8222
http://www.skipsimpson.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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