Family sues city over death
Struggling firefighter committed suicide after given ultimatum
Written by Stacey Barchenger (StatetsmanJournal.com)
July 16, 2011
The family of a 20-year Salem
firefighter who killed himself nearly two years ago is suing the city, claiming
wrongful death and negligence.
firefighter who killed himself nearly two years ago is suing the city, claiming
wrongful death and negligence.
Bryan Baxter, the son-in-law and a
representative of firefighter Craig Warren’s estate, is seeking $4.15 million
in damages. The claim was filed July 5 in Marion County Circuit Court, and the
city has yet to respond.
representative of firefighter Craig Warren’s estate, is seeking $4.15 million
in damages. The claim was filed July 5 in Marion County Circuit Court, and the
city has yet to respond.
“We’ve received the complaint
and we’re evaluating the complaint to file a responsive pleading,” Salem
Deputy City Attorney Sean Brady said. He declined to comment on the allegations
in the complaint document.
and we’re evaluating the complaint to file a responsive pleading,” Salem
Deputy City Attorney Sean Brady said. He declined to comment on the allegations
in the complaint document.
Warren suffered psychological
problems related to his work and committed suicide July 31, 2009, after the
city conducted an investigation and gave him an ultimatum to resign or be
fired, according to the civil filing.
problems related to his work and committed suicide July 31, 2009, after the
city conducted an investigation and gave him an ultimatum to resign or be
fired, according to the civil filing.
“It’s our opinion that the way
the city conducted the investigation of Mr. Warren, especially when they became
aware that he was having some emotional difficulties, was very cruel,”
said attorney Jaime Goldberg of Portland, who represents Baxter.
the city conducted the investigation of Mr. Warren, especially when they became
aware that he was having some emotional difficulties, was very cruel,”
said attorney Jaime Goldberg of Portland, who represents Baxter.
According to the complaint:
Warren was a 20-year veteran of the
Salem Fire Department who suffered psychiatric problems “following his
response as a Salem Firefighter [sic] to several traumatic calls for
service.”
Salem Fire Department who suffered psychiatric problems “following his
response as a Salem Firefighter [sic] to several traumatic calls for
service.”
In early 2009, a switch in
psychiatrists resulted in a medication mistake and Warren was not fully
treated, causing him behavioral problems, increasing anxiety and irritability
and leading “to a low threshold for impulsive actions and speech.”
psychiatrists resulted in a medication mistake and Warren was not fully
treated, causing him behavioral problems, increasing anxiety and irritability
and leading “to a low threshold for impulsive actions and speech.”
When the error was noticed, Salem
Fire Department was simultaneously investigating Warren for alleged
inappropriate comments made to other firefighters.
Fire Department was simultaneously investigating Warren for alleged
inappropriate comments made to other firefighters.
Salem fire command staff conducted
an interview with Warren in July 2009, which increased Warren’s anxiety and
depressive symptoms, and after a second interview noticed he was disturbed and
ordered Warren to use the Employee Assistance Program.
an interview with Warren in July 2009, which increased Warren’s anxiety and
depressive symptoms, and after a second interview noticed he was disturbed and
ordered Warren to use the Employee Assistance Program.
A third interview was conducted days
later, leading Fire Chief Mike Niblock and Deputy Chief Greg Hadley to give Warren
an ultimatum: resign or be fired on July 31, 2009.
later, leading Fire Chief Mike Niblock and Deputy Chief Greg Hadley to give Warren
an ultimatum: resign or be fired on July 31, 2009.
“Giving him a deadline of the end of the month … it was very
cold-hearted and cruel in our view,” Goldberg said.
cold-hearted and cruel in our view,” Goldberg said.
Warren resigned July 27 effective July 31, the day he killed himself.
“With knowledge that Craig Warren was in an emotionally unstable state
of mind and that he was experiencing worsening anxiety and depressive symptoms
in July of 2009, defendant’s employees subjected Craig Warren to extreme
emotional pressure through a harsh, aggressive and deceptive interrogation
process, followed by an ultimatum that he either resign or be fired by July 31,
2009, and thus defendant breached its duty of reasonable care towards [sic]
Craig Warren,” the claim reads.
of mind and that he was experiencing worsening anxiety and depressive symptoms
in July of 2009, defendant’s employees subjected Craig Warren to extreme
emotional pressure through a harsh, aggressive and deceptive interrogation
process, followed by an ultimatum that he either resign or be fired by July 31,
2009, and thus defendant breached its duty of reasonable care towards [sic]
Craig Warren,” the claim reads.
