University, UCC sued over Lisa Yang’s death

On behalf of the Estate of Lisa Yang, South Bend attorney Franklin Julian filed a lawsuit Thursday against the University and the University Counseling Center (UCC) over the latter’s actions in the time leading up to Yang’s death.

Yang, who died by suicide in March 2015, was a senior from Herdon, Virginia, living in McGlinn Hall and studying in the Mendoza College of Business.

The complaint states Yang had been treated at the UCC from May 2014 through February 2015, and that the center was made aware that Yang had attempted suicide in July 2014.

The suit argues University and UCC “violated accepted standards of medical care in treating a patient with a known history of mental health issues, depression and suicidal ideation without utilization of the proper medications as well as the appropriate medical and psychological treatment of her underlying mental health disease.

“The defendants’ violations of applicable standards of medical and psychological care to Yang caused an otherwise preventable and foreseeable unfortunate outcome,” the lawsuit claims.

As a result of Yang’s death, the lawsuit claims her family has suffered the “loss of services, affection and companionship of their daughter,” and asks for a “trial by jury; the costs of this action; full compensation for the injuries sustained; and any and all other just relief in the premises.”