The children of the late actor Robert Carradine have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Regents of the University of California, alleging negligence and staffing failures at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital contributed to their father’s passing. Carradine, known for his roles in films like Revenge of the Nerds and the TV show Lizzie McGuire, died on February 23 at the age of 71 from an anoxic brain injury resulting from a suicide attempt during his treatment at the hospital.
Lawsuit Details Alleged Hospital Negligence
According to court documents, Carradine voluntarily admitted himself to the UCLA facility twice within a single month. His first admission concluded on January 9, but he returned on January 16, citing a “manic episode suicidal ideation.” The lawsuit claims that Carradine, who expressed relief at being hospitalized and hoped for reduced anxiety through inpatient treatment, instead encountered an environment that failed to provide adequate safety measures.
The complaint specifically highlights several alleged oversights by the hospital staff:
- Failure to Confiscate Contraband: The lawsuit asserts that Carradine was not stripped of a belt, which is identified as contraband in hospital admission forms. This item was later allegedly used in his suicide attempt.
- Inappropriate Furnishings: A rolling bedside table, described as non-standard furniture for a locked psychiatric unit, was reportedly left in Carradine’s room.
- Inadequate Patient Monitoring: The suit claims that staff members assigned to monitor Carradine at 15-minute intervals were not physically present or attentive. Instead, an assigned staff member allegedly remained in the hallway, entering observations into an iPad without directly observing the patient.
- Falsified Records: The lawsuit further alleges that the iPad system allowed staff to log checks without actually performing them, creating a false record of continuous monitoring for suicidal patients. This practice, the plaintiffs contend, knowingly put patients like Carradine at risk.
Carradine’s children—daughters Ever and Marika, and son Ian—contend that these failures occurred despite the hospital possessing the necessary knowledge, policies, and resources to ensure patient safety. The lawsuit states, “None of this happened because UCLA lacked the knowledge, the policies or the means. It happened because UCLA took shortcuts with two safeguards that were meant to protect Robert’s life.”
Actor’s History of Mental Health Struggles
The medical examiner’s report, which ruled Carradine’s death a suicide in June, detailed his long-standing battle with serious mental illness. Records indicate he had a history of bipolar disorder, severe depression with psychotic features, and anxiety, along with previous suicidal ideation. His family has spoken publicly about his struggles.
Following his admission on January 16, hospital staff discovered Carradine unresponsive in his room the next day, reportedly after an apparent hanging involving a leather belt. Although medical personnel were able to restore circulation, he remained in intensive care for over five weeks. His condition ultimately deteriorated, and he was pronounced dead on February 23. The cause of death was officially listed as “sequelae of anoxic brain injury” due to hanging, with no foul play suspected.
Investigators interviewed family members as part of their inquiry. Records also showed Carradine had sought treatment for suicidal thoughts at the same UCLA facility previously. His family expressed a belief that he may have been discharged prematurely from an earlier hospitalization before his final admission.
Seeking Damages for Wrongful Death
The lawsuit filed by Carradine’s children seeks general damages, special and economic damages, and wrongful death damages. The complaint suggests that UCLA did not thoroughly investigate the actual events, instead recording a narrative that contradicted video surveillance evidence.
Robert Carradine’s brother, Keith Carradine, has previously spoken about Robert’s mental health journey, emphasizing that there was “no shame” in his brother’s suicide and characterizing his death as the outcome of a prolonged struggle with mental illness.
Robert Carradine is survived by his three children: Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine, and Ian Alexander Carradine.
