Scientology Death Deserves Lawsuit, Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Says

Jan. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Victims of drug addiction come to treatment programs hoping to get clean, break themselves of their habit and, if all goes well, start a new chapter in their life. But for 28-year old Patrick Desmond, the attempt to seek treatment resulted in his death – and his family says the Atlanta treatment center is to blame.

Narconon of Georgia, a treatment program run by the Church of Scientology, deceived Desmond to lure him from Florida to Georgia by claiming it was an in-patient, residential treatment facility, according to court documents and the ruling of Judge Stacey Hydrick. But the organization is out-patient only, and after he soon after he arrived a staff member of the facility gave him alcohol. He then shot heroine with two former Narconon patients. The drugs and alcohol allegedly led to his death.

Now the Desmond's family has brought a wrongful death lawsuit against Narconon. According to Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Tom Rowsey, the family should have the right to bring the issue before a Jury for consideration of its unorthodox practices.

“Some Hollywood movie stars advocate the benefits of Scientology and promote the benefits of Narconon, its affiliated d drug rehabilitation and treatment program.  However, I understand the Georgia State Department of Community Health is currently taking action to revoke the Georgia chapter clinic’s license to operate.  And, given the number of questionable practices and deaths arising out of similar treatment centers across the country and the alleged facts surrounding the death of Patrick, the Desmond family deserves answers to their questions and concerns.  There is no better forum to resolve an issue like this than a Jury trial” said Mr. Rowsey.

Lawyers for Narconon said that the organization was not responsible for the death, because Desmond freely chose to drink the alcohol and take the drugs offered to him.

Narconon has asked Judge Hydrick to throw out the case, which Hydrick took under advisement. Trial is scheduled for February.

“The beauty of the judicial system is that each side has an opportunity to present its argument to a jury, comprised of fair minded, reasonable citizens,” Rowsey said. “Unless the Judge decides that the Desmond family has no basis to bring a claim, Narconon’s lawyers will argue to the Jury that Patrick was responsible for his own death.  Ultimately, it would be interesting to hear what a Jury decides to do when it hears all the facts.”

About Thomas Rowsey:

Thomas C. Rowsey is a personal injury and criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience helping clients in the Atlanta area. Thomas focuses on helping families and individuals fight back against large organizations to get the compensation they deserve. He has a strong record of success and was listed in Georgia's Top 25 Verdicts & Settlements in 2010. He can be contacted at:

Thomas C. Rowsey
Attorneys at Law
42 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075
770-993-5317