By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The family of a man charged in the fatal shooting of a Tuscaloosa nurse has filed a lawsuit against DCH Regional Medical Center, alleging the hospital failed to provide emergency psychiatric care hours before the deadly incident.
Matthew Taylor, 41, is charged with capital murder during a robbery, first-degree robbery, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm in connection with the May 12 shooting death of 27-year-old nurse Ada Doss. Authorities have said Taylor was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a documented history of mental illness.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Mike Comer on behalf of Taylor’s mother, Amanda Taylor, claims DCH was negligent in its handling of Taylor during what family members describe as a severe mental health crisis.
According to the complaint, Taylor has struggled with serious mental illness since childhood and has received treatment at multiple mental health facilities, including those operated by DCH Healthcare Authority. The lawsuit alleges that family members brought Taylor to DCH’s emergency department on May 12 seeking psychiatric evaluation and treatment after he began exhibiting irrational behavior and signs of severe mental distress.
The complaint claims hospital staff failed to provide emergency screening, stabilization, or admission and allowed Taylor to leave without receiving adequate care.
DCH officials dispute those allegations. In a statement, hospital spokeswoman Briana Houston said Taylor never entered the emergency department, was never registered as a patient, and never presented himself for treatment on the day of the shooting.
“We will allow the legal process to address the remaining facts in due course,” Houston said.
The lawsuit remains pending as Taylor’s criminal case moves forward in Tuscaloosa County.