The family of Nicholas Carusillo, a 29-year-old man who died after being discharged from Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences (MARR), has reached a settlement with the rehabilitation center. In August 2022, a DeKalb County jury awarded the Carusillo family over $77.5 million, holding MARR and several staff members responsible for Nicholas’s death. The settlement was confirmed by a Georgia Court of Appeals order issued on Tuesday.
Nicholas Carusillo, who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and had bipolar disorder, was admitted to MARR on August 29, 2017. According to court records, MARR’s chief medical officer altered his bipolar medications shortly after admission, discontinuing one and reducing another. Despite warnings from Carusillo’s family and therapist about the importance of his medication regimen, these changes were implemented.
On September 19, 2017, MARR discharged Carusillo for multiple rule violations and recommended he seek more intensive treatment, which he declined. He was then transferred to Perimeter Recovery Residence in Dunwoody but was discharged the following day for breaking curfew. Three days later, on September 22, 2017, Carusillo was struck and killed by vehicles on I-85 in DeKalb County.
MARR denied responsibility for Carusillo’s death, asserting that his actions were intentional and that he refused further treatment. However, the jury found MARR and its staff liable, leading to the substantial verdict. The terms of the recent settlement have not been disclosed, and representatives from MARR have not provided further comments.
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[…] Atlanta Rehabilitation Center Settles $77.5 Million Lawsuit Over Patient’s Death […]