Silver Cross Sued Over New Lenox Man's Suicide

A New Lenox family is suing , alleging that staff failed to prevent their son's suicide during his stay.

Jason Frame, formerly of New Lenox, admitted himself to the psychiatric ward in Silver Cross Hospital's Joliet location Nov. 29, 2011. On Dec. 1, he hanged himself in the bathroom with a hospital gown. He was 23.

Frame's parents, Orville and Maureen, filed a malpractice suit against the hospital Friday, March 23, in the Will County Circuit Court.

"Upon his admission, Jason exhibited signs of delusion, hallucination, paranoia and agitation," attorney Steve Levin said in a news release. "Because of his expressed suicidal ideations and behaviors, he should have been placed under close supervision and surveillance."

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The lawsuit alleges that the suicide could have been prevented.

"The staff should have provided one-on-one care or ensured there were no items that the patient could use to injure himself," he said.

Frame's parents said they were relieved when he was admitted to the hospital, and they trusted hosptal staff to protect him.

"We were devastated to learn that they left Jason alone with the tools needed to take his own life," his father, Orville said. "We took action against Silver Cross to protect other patients, and hope that this will never happen to another family."

The lawsuit names the hospital, Dr. Cosme Lozano of the Joliet Center for Clinical Research, two individual registered nurses and a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner in 10 counts of wrongful death and survival action allegations.

For each count, the family is seeking in excess of $50,000.

Officials from Silver Cross Hospital could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.