On August 22, 2019, Christophe M., a 53-year-old health executive, father of four children, ended his life at the psychiatry center of the hospital of Flers, in the Orne. It is to judge the responsibility – even faults – of the hospital center that his family filed a claim for compensation with the administrative court of Caen.
The family would like to see two faults committed, according to them, by the hospital recognized: harassment by a health manager and, in the operation of the hospital, the lack of implementation of the necessary measures to avoid the drama. The file consisted, among other things, of two investigations carried out by the management of the hospital, written testimonies from nine members of his family and 23 colleagues.
Judgment rendered within three weeks
The public rapporteur, whose recommendations are generally followed by the court, does not recognize the two faults as being attributable to the hospital. “The position of health manager was difficult for Christophe M. to assume. This may have led the manager to intervene, to be clumsy or brutal, but […] there is not enough evidence to show that Christophe M. was the victim of moral harassment. » As for the lack of reaction from the hospital: “The malaise was not perceived in its proper measure by the hospital center. However, is this a fault? I do not think so. »
The rapporteur proposes ordering the hospital center to pay the remainder of the funeral expenses – half of which it has already paid – as well as damages of €27,161 to the widow of Christophe M., €22,000 to each of his children, and €10,000 to his mother. The judgment will be made public within three weeks.
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