Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Alleging Mental Health Provider Released 80-Year-Old Patient in Crisis Days Before His Death

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — The family of Norman Perkins, an 80-year-old father experiencing a sudden and severe mental health crisis, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against mental healthcare providers Inlet Health, Inc., Communicare, Four Rivers Behavioral Health, and a licensed professional clinical counselor.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants released Norman after a court-ordered mental health evaluation, despite clear signs of psychosis, firearm-related safety concerns, and a sheriff’s deputy’s firsthand warning that Norman had threatened violence less than an hour earlier. Two days later, while still in crisis, Norman was fatally shot by law enforcement.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Norman’s family saw a sudden and alarming change. According to the lawsuit, he began expressing delusional beliefs, including that he had close personal relationships with high-level public figures, and had served as a Green Beret despite no military background. He also began carrying a firearm, something his family said he had never done before. Norman’s son, Robert Perkins, became concerned that his father posed a danger to himself or others and petitioned the LaRue County District Court for Norman to be involuntarily hospitalized and receive treatment.

The court granted the petition on Jan. 5, 2026, and Norman was transported to a Communicare facility in Elizabethtown for a court-ordered mental health evaluation.

“My father was in a mental health crisis, and we sought help because we loved him and wanted him to be safe,” said Norman’s son, Robert Perkins. “We knew he needed care, and we trusted that he would be properly evaluated. We never imagined that despite our efforts to get my dad help, we would lose him just days later.”

Before the evaluation, Norman’s crisis escalated. He continued making delusional statements, became agitated, and threatened the sheriff’s deputy who transported him, the judge, and others before he was restrained and calmed. The deputy personally witnessed Norman’s behavior and warned the counselor about his threats, agitation, and unusual statements.

The complaint alleges that the counselor conducted a brief video evaluation while Norman continued making delusional statements. Despite a sheriff’s deputy’s warning that Norman had threatened multiple people less than an hour earlier, the counselor discounted the warning, determined Norman was not a danger to himself or others, and released him that same day. The lawsuit alleges that Norman should have been held for further evaluation and involuntarily hospitalized, which could have prevented the chain of events that ultimately led to his death.

The counselor did not consult physicians, nurses, or other professionals, review Norman’s medical records, or interview other witnesses.

On Jan. 7, two days after his release, Norman’s untreated crisis escalated. At the Nelson County Humane Society, he behaved erratically and displayed a firearm, prompting employees to call 911. Deputies later stopped him in a nearby parking lot. During the encounter, Norman remained in crisis and pointed the firearm at deputies, who responded with deadly force.

“Norman’s family did exactly what families are supposed to do when a loved one is in crisis: they asked the court and mental health system for help,” said Nick Horne, an attorney with Thomas Law Offices who represents the Perkins family. “The warning signs showed that Norman was in a mental health crisis and posed danger to himself and others, but these warnings were not acted upon. This case is about a missed opportunity to keep Norman and the community safe.”

The lawsuit alleges negligence and gross negligence in the counselor’s evaluation of Norman, along with negligent hiring, training, and supervision by the Communicare defendants. The family also brings a wrongful death claim and seeks compensatory and punitive damages. The lawsuit does not allege any wrongdoing by members of law enforcement.

The Perkins family is represented by Nick Horne, Brian Jasper, and Tad Thomas of Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky.