Chris Cornell’s Widow Files Medical Malpractice Claim Against His Doctor

 Posted on December 13, 2018 in Medical Malpractice

Studies show that more and more Americans are taking psychiatric medications in order to cope with mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Experts estimate that about one out of every six adults in the United States has used at least one psychiatric drug. For some, psychiatric medication like fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), alprazolam (Xanax), Lithium, clozapine (Clozaril) diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan) help alleviate symptoms and cause few, if any, side effects. However, some people taking psychiatric medication experience intense mental and physical side effects including increased thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Now, the family of the late musician Chris Cornell believe that negligent over-prescription of psychiatric medication may have played a role in the singer’s death.

Singer Was Taking Anxiety Medicine and Opioids at Time of Suicide

Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell passed away in May of 2017 of an apparent suicide. However, Cornell’s wife believes that the 52-year-old was not in his right mind when he chose to take his own life. She claims that a dangerous mix of anti-anxiety medication and prescription opioids caused him to have increased suicidal and psychotic thoughts, a known side effect of some psychiatric medications. She claims that the negligent actions of her late husband’s doctor are to blame for his death.

According to the lawsuit, Cornell’s doctor negligently prescribed Oxycodone, Lorazepam (Ativan), and other mind-altering drugs to Cornell even though the doctor knew of Cornell’s history with drug addiction. The doctor also allegedly permitted non-physician staff to write Cornell’s prescriptions and neglected to follow up with Cornell regarding negative side effects. Cornell’s widow says that the singer had not displayed suicidal behavior prior to taking his life and had not struggled with addiction for many years. The question of blame will come down to whether or not the doctor and his staff were negligent in prescribing the singer the combination of mind-altering medication.

Contact a Winnebago County Medical Malpractice Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, you may have the right to compensation. Call Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, for wide-ranging medical malpractice representation in Illinois. We handle cases involving misdiagnosis, emergency room mistakes, medication errors, surgical malpractice, and more. To schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced Rockford medical malpractice attorney from our law firm, contact us today at 815-215-7561. All our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis.

Sources:

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/6/14/17458726/depression-drugs-suicide-side-effect

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/1-in-6-americans-takes-a-psychiatric-drug/

https://abcnews.go.com/US/chris-cornells-widow-sues-doctor-malpractice-soundgarden-singers/story?id=58905741