Oregon Firefighter’s Family Sues Department Over Suicide

The family of a veteran Salem, Oregon firefighter who committed suicide in 2009, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the fire department alleging the department’s negligence caused the suicide.

The complicated case seemingly began on May 6, 2009 when firefighter Craig Warren is alleged to have made inappropriate comments to coworkers. In July, 2009 an investigation was initiated during which Warren was interviewed three times. On July 27, he reluctantly resigned in lieu of being fired on July 31, 2009. Tragically, Warren took his life on July 31, 2009.

However, the case actually began back in September, 2000 when Warren was first placed under the care of a psychiatrist for job related stress.

Warren’s psychiatric condition was considered to be a worker’s compensation matter for the department and he continued under the doctor’s care until the psychiatrist retired in early, 2009. Warren’s new psychiatrist mistakenly changed his prescription in February, 2009 and soon thereafter he began to experience problems.  It was during this period that the inappropriate comments were made.

In June, 2009, the mistake in Warren’s prescription was discovered and corrected. When the investigation was initiated in July, 2009, Warren’s psychiatrist , Dr. Jennifer Scott, submitted documentation that the inappropriate comments were the result of the incorrect medication. She also included assurances that the medication change would correct the behavior problems and Warren would return to being the productive employee he had been.

However, according to the complaint, the second and third interviews of Warren conducted on July 10, 2009 and July 16, 2009 were conducted in an “aggressive, confrontation, and deceptive manner”, despite the fact that he was visibly emotionally disturbed by the proceedings. He agreed to resign while under extreme emotional duress, leading to his suicide.

Here is a copy of the complaint.    Baxter v Salem This is a must read for all professional standards investigators.

The family is seeking $4.15 million in damages.