The family of actor Robert Carradine has filed a lawsuit against the University of California Regents, alleging that the psychiatric care team at a UCLA-affiliated facility was negligent in their treatment of the "Revenge of the Nerds" star, leading to his preventable death by suicide in February.
The legal complaint, filed on August 7 in Los Angeles Superior Court, asserts that the UCLA health facility committed elder abuse and neglect. Carradine, 71, had voluntarily admitted himself to the psychiatric facility shortly before his death, recognizing he was a danger to himself due to his struggles with bipolar disorder and reported suicidal thoughts. The lawsuit states that Carradine had a history of suicide attempts and had admitted to having suicidal thoughts upon admission.
The 27-page suit names the UC regents, along with physicians, nurses, and other officials, as defendants. The family claims that Carradine was admitted to a locked psychiatric unit with a belt and a table, which were overlooked or not removed, providing him with the means to end his life. According to the lawsuit, he died approximately 19 hours after checking into the facility.
Plaintiffs allege that UCLA staff were distracted during Carradine's observation intake and subsequently falsified records to indicate proper care was administered. The complaint states that UCLA failed to implement safeguards, such as continuous monitoring, despite orders for checks every 15 minutes, and provided Carradine with the means to harm himself.
Robert Carradine, son of actor John Carradine, had a prolific career spanning five decades in film and television, including notable roles in "Revenge of the Nerds," "Lizzie McGuire," "The Cowboys," and "Mean Streets." His family, in a statement following his death, acknowledged his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder and expressed hope that his journey would help address the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified general and wrongful-death damages, as well as compensation for medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization. The Times has reached out to the UC regents and UCLA Health for comment.
