The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services agreed to pay $13 million to settle allegations that it caused psychological damage after conducting a surprise active shooter drill at a children's psychiatric hospital, The Washington Post reported Oct. 17.
The Hawthorn Center, based in Northville Township, Mich., is a state-run psychiatric hospital for children with emotional, mood and thought disorders. On Dec. 21, two laborers were instructed by their supervisor to act as armed intruders in an unannounced drill. The two were told to walk around the facility and ensure every room was locked and the people inside were hidden. The receptionist was instructed to announce that there were active shooters in the building and that shots were fired. Neither the staff nor the police were notified a drill was occurring. 911 calls reported the active shooter and 22 police officers rushed to the scene. The two laborers exited the building and were detained while the police sorted out the situation.
Employees filed a class action lawsuit in April 2023 against the health department-run facility alleging that the unannounced drill gave them post-traumatic stress and emotional harm. According to the lawsuit, patients acted aggressively toward themselves and others in the subsequent weeks, and staff members experienced increased anxiety and sleep struggles, and some quit their jobs.
On Oct. 15, the Michigan HHS agreed to pay $13 million, which will be divided between 50 patients and more than 100 staff members. The department did not admit to wrongdoing.
Lynn Sutfin, a spokeswoman for the Michigan HHS, told the Post that the department "felt it was in the best interest of all involved parties to settle this matter. We regret that our patients, staff and community were negatively affected by the unfortunate incident in December 2022. We commend our staff who worked quickly to engage law enforcement partners and the responding agencies who worked to resolve the situation."