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Farmington, Connecticut (April 17, 2026) – Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. is proud to announce a $7,500,000 settlement reached on behalf of a psychiatric patient who suffered catastrophic injuries due to a failure in hospital security and patient supervision at UConn Health Center.
The case, handled by partner Patrick J. Kennedy, involved complex litigation regarding medical malpractice, premises liability, and the scope of COVID-19 era immunity statutes.
A Preventable Tragedy and a Failure of Care
The incident occurred when a psychiatric patient, being treated in the emergency department at UConn Health Center was able to leave the unit through an unsecured door that led directly to a parking garage. Once in the garage, the patient fell sixteen feet from one level to another, landing on his head. The fall resulted in a permanent, life-altering traumatic brain injury.
Following the incident, the Connecticut Department of Public Health investigated the facility and corroborated the plaintiff’s claims, finding that the hospital failed to provide a safe environment for psychiatric treatment.
“This case was always about accountability,” said Patrick J. Kennedy. “A hospital’s primary duty is to keep its most vulnerable patients safe. When basic safety protocols are ignored, the consequences are often permanent. This settlement acknowledges the gravity of our client’s injuries and provides him with the resources he needs for the future.”
Challenging Pandemic-Era Protections in Medical Malpractice Litigation
The State of Connecticut defended the case aggressively, seeking immunity from liability by citing the Governor’s emergency executive orders and Connecticut’s civil preparedness statute (C.G.S. § 28-13). The State argued that the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic shielded the hospital from claims of medical malpractice and negligence during that period.
However, the legal team at Kennedy Johnson successfully navigated these defenses. Maintaining that the failure to secure a door, a basic safety protocol, was a preventable error that existed independently of the pandemic’s demands. The firm’s ability to dismantle these immunity theories was critical in securing a path to recovery for our client.
Securing a Future for the Injured
The $7.5 million settlement was reached during mediation with retired Connecticut Superior Court Judge Cesar Noble. This result ensures that Kennedy Johnson’s client will have economic security to cover his needs for the remainder of his life.
Proven Connecticut Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Protecting Victims of Hospital Negligence
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we have a long-standing history of holding medical institutions and state entities accountable for negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to medical or institutional failure, our experienced trial attorneys are here to help you seek justice. To schedule a free confidential consultation with our legal team, please contact us at 203-865-8430 or contact us online.
