A judge has approved a $13 million settlement in a lawsuit stemming from an alarming incident at a Michigan psychiatric hospital for children. The event in question was an unannounced active shooter drill that caused panic among kids and staff, leading to a chaotic scene of people scrambling for cover, texting family members, and urgently calling 911.
According to reports, the drill took place on December 21, 2022, at the state-run Hawthorn Center in suburban Detroit. An announcement over the speaker system falsely claimed that two armed men were inside the facility and that shots had been fired, triggering a frenzy of fear and confusion.
Attorney Robin Wagner described the situation as 'horrifying,' with individuals at the hospital believing it to be a real-life emergency. People were seen hiding under desks, barricading doors, and doing their best to protect the children in their care.
As a result of the settlement, each of the fifty children present during the drill will receive approximately $60,000, while 90 staff members will be compensated with an average of over $50,000 based on their trauma exam scores. Additional individuals will also receive varying amounts of compensation.
The drill, which was not coordinated with local law enforcement, led to a significant police response, with officers arriving at the scene prepared for a dangerous situation. Two individuals instructed to act as shooters were apprehended, although they were found to be unarmed.
The settlement, approved by Court of Claims Judge James Redford on October 4, includes over $3 million allocated to attorneys involved in the case. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging the negative impact it had on patients, staff, and the community.
According to Wagner, the drill was organized by the Hawthorn Center's safety director, who remains employed by the state. Following the incident, the hospital was closed for reasons unrelated to the drill.
Overall, the settlement reflects a recognition by the state that the drill was a serious misstep that caused harm to many individuals, underscoring the importance of proper planning and communication in emergency preparedness exercises.
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