NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Michigan Court of Claims granted final approval for a class action settlement against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The case involved injuries to patients and staff at a former child psychiatric hospital in Northville Township.
Judge Robert Redford granted the final order in the settlement. The settlement agreement totals $13 million, with about $9 million to patients and staff who say they were terrorized by an unannounced active shooter drill that gained national attention.
The Hawthorn Center was a state-run psychiatric hospital for children that has since closed. On Dec. 21, 2022, the center conducted an active shooter drill. Patients and most of the staff were not informed ahead of time. Four law enforcement agencies who responded to panicked 911 calls from inside the hospital weren’t notified of the drill, either and responded as if the threat was real.
When patients and employees saw dozens of heavily armed police outside the psych hospital, they were convinced armed intruders were roaming their halls. Even those who believed it was a drill initially thought it was real when they saw the first responders who also believed it was real.
In January 2024, MDHSS said they take the health and safety of everyone seriously and that it was important to settle. The department praised staff and law enforcement for their swift response and said it would update its emergency operation policies.
Prior coverage:
The Court of Claims agreement document can be read in full below.
The class action certification with exhibits and allocation process can be read below.
The motion for class action can be read below.
