Full Breakdown
Family Sues VA After Vietnam Veteran's Suicide in Hospital
11/20/2025, 8:00:38 AM
Tragic Circumstances Surrounding Roy Fred Giddens, Jr.'s Death
Roy Fred Giddens, Jr., a 75-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, fatally shot himself in the chest while a patient at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Chicago on December 31, 2023. His family has filed a $37.5 million wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging negligence by hospital staff who failed to act on Giddens's repeated warnings about his suicidal thoughts and access to a firearm.
Giddens had a history of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from his service in Vietnam, which contributed to his ongoing mental health struggles. According to the lawsuit, Giddens expressed suicidal ideations multiple times during his hospital stays, including a conversation with a nurse on the night before his death, where he indicated he wanted to take his own life. Despite these warnings, the complaint asserts that appropriate mental health interventions were not implemented.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Tragedy
The family's complaint outlines a timeline beginning on August 16, 2023, when Giddens first sought treatment at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. During this visit, a psychiatrist noted Giddens's suicidal thoughts and his access to a firearm. He was admitted again on December 1, 2023, where a psychiatrist recommended a 1:1 sitter due to his suicidal ideations. However, he was discharged shortly after and readmitted on December 29, 2023, believing he was experiencing a heart attack.
On December 30, a VA social worker assessed Giddens, and on December 31, a doctor documented his discussions about suicidal thoughts. Despite these clear indications of distress, Giddens was left unsupervised, leading to the tragic outcome.
Allegations of Negligence and Lack of Care
The lawsuit claims that the VA hospital staff failed to provide the necessary care and intervention when Giddens expressed suicidal thoughts. It alleges that the staff did not coordinate consistent outpatient treatment, neglected to remove the firearm from Giddens's home, and failed to check for weapons upon his final admission. The family argues that these failures directly contributed to Giddens's death.
Attorney Daniel Goldfaden, representing Giddens's family, emphasized the preventability of the tragedy, stating, “It did not need to happen. They knew for months he had been feeling this way... To have nothing done in response is completely unfathomable to me.”
Official Responses and Broader Implications
A spokesperson for the VA stated that the department typically does not comment on pending litigation. The family seeks accountability and answers regarding the circumstances of Giddens's death, hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future. The lawsuit seeks $12.5 million for common law negligence and $25 million for wrongful death, highlighting the profound impact of Giddens's death on his family.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It did not need to happen,” — Daniel Goldfaden, Attorney
- “To have nothing done in response is completely unfathomable to me.” — Daniel Goldfaden, Attorney
- “All of Roy’s next of kin suffered injuries as a result of his death, including the loss of companionship, society, grief and sorrow,” — Family's Complaint
The tragic case of Roy Fred Giddens, Jr. underscores the critical need for effective mental health care and intervention for veterans, particularly those expressing suicidal thoughts.
