Investigation Underway after Death of a Mental Health Worker at Murray Developmental Center

The death of a 56-year-old Mental Health Worker, Rick Stewart, at the Murray Developmental Center in Centralia is now being investigate by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), its director of communications confirm earlier this month.

While DHS has express that it is “very sadden by [Stewart’s] death and sends condolences to his family,” it has not release any other information at this time due to the pending investigation.

What Is Currently Known about Stewart’s Death

According to confidential sources close to the incident, Stewart was working at Murray Center on the night of July 31^st when a resident of Apple Cottage allegedly punch him in the chest. The resident, who reportedly has behavioral issues, then allegedly stompe on Stewart’s chest before he could get up.

Witnesses report that Stewart got immediately up after this and kept working. About an hour and 45 minutes later, he had a heart attack and was rush to St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. Stewart was subsequently transfer to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where he was keep on life support until pass away on August 6^th.

The resident who is allege to have attack Stewart has since been relocate from Murray Center to Choate Developmental Center without incident.

According to State Representative Charlie Meier, altercations like this one are not uncommon at Murray Center, where it sometimes takes as many as five staff members to hold down residents who are having “meltdowns.” Meier has also note that Murray Center is not currently fully staff and that he looks forward to the day when funding can make sufficient staffing possible at the Center.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is currently investigating this incident as a possible homicide. The union that represents staff at the Murray Center (AFSCME) has state that it is working with Stewart’s family and will issue a statement regarding the death at a later date.

Workplace Violence Is a Real Threat for Many

This tragic death is a window into the issue of workplace violence, which impacts many American workers across a wide range of industries. In fact, just to give some perspective about how problematic and deadly workplace violence can be, here are some eye-opening statistics:

• About 9 percent of workplace fatalities are cause by workplace violence.
• About 19 percent of the deaths of health care workers and treatment practitioners are cause by workplace violence.
• Homicide is the number two cause of death for women at work, follow by motor vehicle accidents.
• There’s a far greater risk of deadly workplace violence for those who work around unstable, volatile people.

As more news about this investigation becomes available, we’ll report the latest updates to you here in our blog. Until then, share your comments about this story with us on Facebook & Google+.

Contact a Mount Vernon Workers Compensation Attorney at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

If you or someone you love has been hurt at work, or if you have lost a love one to a fatal workplace accident, contact an experience and trust Mount Vernon workers compensation attorney at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. Call us at (888) 896-9381 or email us using the contact form on this page.