Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 21/01) - A civil suit against Stanton Regional Health Board and some of its employees alleging negligence in a five-year-old suicide is scheduled to go to trial Dec. 10.

Ewa Konopek-Holan is suing the board, Dr. James McGlynn and nurse Bertha Harman, claiming they are partly responsible for the death of her husband Walter.

The lawsuit was filed by Konopek-Holan and Walter Holan's estate in 1999.

"It is a claim in negligence against the hospital, attending doctor and one of the nurses and relates to (Holan) being released from the hospital on a day pass resulting in him committing suicide," said Robert Kasting, the plaintiff's lawyer.

Walter Holan requested a day pass from the hospital's psychiatric unit on Dec. 5, 1996 to watch his son play hockey. He was in the ward voluntarily.

The statement of claim alleges Holan was under observation because he was considered suicidal.

Holan never returned to the hospital and was missing until two people canoeing on Frame Lake found his body on a small island in June 1998.

According a coroner's report, a bottle of Southern Comfort and a number of empty, weathered Nytol bottles and pill pop-out cards were found near the body.

After an autopsy, the cause of death was deemed a suicide.

Analysis of Holan's liver revealed 45 milligrams of diphenhydramine, the major ingredient in the over-the-counter sleep aids like Nytol. A regular dosage is between one and 10 milligrams.

The parties have filed statements of defence saying they are not responsible for the losses and expenses sought by Holan's wife.

She and Holan's estate are asking for loss of financial support, funeral expenses, loss of inheritance, housekeeping, guidance, enjoyment of life and future income.

"Whenever you deal with a big institution you have to have a good solid case," Kasting said. "We think we do."