Facts

On Nov. 23, 2023, plaintiffs' son, Le'Wayne Wright, presented to the Exodus Urgent Care mental health facility in East Los Angeles due to suicidal intent. Le'Wayne was severely hearing impaired and did not have a hearing aid. Defendants nevertheless failed to provide even the minimum necessary services to ensure they could adequately communicate with Le'Wayne to evaluate his mental health status, treatment needs, and danger of harming himself. Le'Wayne's condition deteriorated, and during a 10-minute check, he was noted to be delusional.

The following day, Dr. Wirshing allegedly examined Le'Wayne. However, comparing the record of 10-minute checks suggested that if the visit had taken place, it would have been less than a few minutes.

Plaintiffs alleged that defendant Wirshing did not conduct a suicidal assessment and prematurely discharged Le-Wayne. Le-Wayne was put on the bus and sent home, where he shortly after committed suicide by jumping out of the window.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs claimed that Dr. Wirshing's discharge was motivated by the financial scheme where no patient is kept over 24 hours to not comply with the mandatory staffing requirements. Plaintiffs contended that Luana Murphy, a non-physician, has obtained lucrative contracts with various public entities to provide mental health services under Lanterman Petris-Short (LPS) designation, where she received a fixed sum from each facility. Luana Murphy operated shell entities, where each entity would contract with another without proper disclosure. Plaintiffs claimed that Dr. Wirshing participated in the scheme that led to patients being discharged prematurely despite needing a full 72-hour hold.

Result

Case settled for $3 million after summary judgment was filed and denied.