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Lawsuits could be filed over mental health complex
Lawsuits could be filed over mental health complex
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It looks like two families are getting ready to sue Milwaukee County over incidents at the Mental Health Complex. This, after a young man died at the complex and another was allegedly severely beaten.
Attorney Jon Safran represents the two families that he says have been victimized. One involves the death of 25-year-old Brandon Johnson. Johnson passed away from a pulmonary embolism. This, after developing blood clots from a broken neck and spine.
Another situation which hasn't quite made headlines involves Mark Emery. He was patient at the complex when Safran says another patient severely beat him.
"There was a verbal altercation earlier in the day. Security came, was involved, but after that it doesn't look as though they did very much to protect Mr. Emery," said Safran. "People should not go into a hospital setting and walk out more injured or dead. There's just no explanation for that."
Now both families are making the first move to bring lawsuits against Milwaukee County. While they may ultimately seek financial compensation, Safran says they hope a possible suit will spur institutional changes at the mental health complex.
"The families want this to never happen to anyone again. And they want again those that were responsible for the injuries and death in this case to be held accountable," said Safran.
Safran also believes the investigations should go one step further than these individual cases. He hopes the district attorney's office decides to look into complex-wide operations.
"We want them to also investigate the larger picture as to how something like this could've occurred. And should there be the possibility of some type of criminal acts that should be considered or a larger picture with the mental health complex," said Safran.
FOX6 News reached out to Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the county board chair for a response. Both said they cannot comment on pending legal matters.
A public John Doe hearing is scheduled for March regarding Brandon Johnson's case. In Mark Emery's case, the man who deputies say beat him is scheduled for a possible plea agreement in late February.