A lawsuit filed on behalf of the man accused of fatally shooting a DCH Health System nurse alleges the Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based system failed to provide emergency psychiatric care before the attack, a claim DCH disputes, saying the man never entered its emergency department or presented himself for care, WBRC News reported June 15.
The complaint, filed in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court on behalf of Matthew James Taylor by his mother, Amanda Taylor, alleges Mr. Taylor sought emergency psychiatric evaluation and treatment at DCH Regional Medical Center but was refused screening, stabilization, treatment or admission on May 12.
The lawsuit claims Mr. Taylor remained on or near the hospital campus for several hours and later obtained an improperly secured firearm before fatally shooting nurse Ada Doss, 27.
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Mr. Taylor, 41, has been indicted on charges of capital murder, first-degree robbery and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, according to the report.
The Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Office previously said Mr. Taylor never entered the hospital and remained on the property for several hours before the shooting. He is awaiting transfer to Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility for a court-ordered evaluation of his competency to stand trial and his mental state at the time of the crime, according to the report.
In a statement, DCH said it would review the complaint through the legal process. The health system also said Mr. Taylor never entered a hospital facility, was not registered as a patient and did not seek care from DCH.
Here is the full statement provided to WBRC and other local news outlets:
“The loss of our colleague continues to weigh heavily on every member of our DCH family. She was a dedicated nurse and case manager who gave her professional life to caring for others, and her absence is felt every day by her colleagues, her patients, and the community she served.
“We have been made aware of a civil complaint in connection with her death filed by the family of the alleged assailant. While it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the specifics of pending litigation, we want to be clear: DCH takes its responsibilities to its employees and to the community with the utmost seriousness. We will review the complaint carefully and respond through the appropriate legal process.
“We would note that Mr. Taylor never entered our emergency department or any other hospital facility, was never registered as a patient, and never presented himself for care from DCH on May 12, 2026. We will allow the legal process to address the remaining facts in due course.
“What we can say without reservation is that we remain fully committed to the safety of every person who works at, visits, or receives care at our facilities.
“The ongoing security enhancements we have implemented since May 12th are real, and not contingent on the outcome of any legal proceeding. The enhancements of our security protocols will continue with input from our employees and leading security experts.
“Our thoughts remain with those who have been touched by the tragic loss of our colleague.”
“DCH Health System”
Becker’s has reached out to DCH and will update this story when information becomes available.
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