A federal lawsuit claims that inadequate mental health care provided by government-employed medical staff contributed to the suicide of a Navy veteran, raising concerns about the treatment of veterans facing psychological crises. The complaint was filed by Mary E. Anning, individually and as administrator of the estate of Charles W. Anning, on March 4, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against the United States of America.
According to the filing, Mary E. Anning was appointed administrator for her late husband’s estate on July 23, 2024, by the Circuit Court of Fairfax County. She initially submitted an administrative tort claim to the Department of the Army on January 16, 2025, as required under federal law. After more than six months without a final disposition from the Army, she proceeded with litigation under provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act.
The complaint outlines a series of events beginning with Charles W. Anning’s hospitalization following an intentional overdose on March 4, 2024. Mr. Anning, described as a Navy veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation related to traumatic experiences during his service and subsequent marital separation, was found unresponsive in his vehicle surrounded by empty prescription bottles and firearms.
After being treated at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital (IMVH) for an overdose involving multiple medications and being placed under suicide precautions in intensive care, Mr. Anning continued to display agitation and altered mental status during his stay. Despite recommendations for psychiatric admission noted by attending physicians such as Omar M. Wali, M.D., he was discharged against medical advice on March 15, 2024.
Following this discharge, Mr. Anning sought further care at Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center (AAMC). There he reported ongoing physical symptoms but also described worsening PTSD due to marital conflict during a mental health consultation on March 18 with Roderick J. Bowser, DNP. Although screening tools indicated significant suicide risk factors—including access to firearms—Mr. Bowser assessed him as low risk and did not schedule psychiatric follow-up or ensure outpatient psychotherapy referral enrollment.
Mr. Anning was discharged home from AAMC on March 28 without any psychiatric treatment or scheduled follow-up appointments for mental health care; only referrals for infectious disease and pulmonology were made according to discharge documents authored by Catherine Seangio, M.D.
In subsequent visits throughout April and May 2024—including consultations with Nathan K. Jansen, D.O., Deson Haynie, M.D., Kelly Gray Koren, M.D., and Doug M. Partanen—medical records show persistent anxiety and depression but no structured intervention or safety planning specific to his escalating mental health crisis.
On May 15, after reporting worsening respiratory symptoms earlier that day at AAMC’s emergency clinic—and receiving medication previously involved in his overdose without contemporaneous suicide risk assessment—Mr. Anning died by suicide on May 16.
The lawsuit alleges that employees at AAMC breached their duty under Virginia law by failing “to involuntarily hospitalize him despite his recent suicide attempt,” failing “to provide any meaningful psychiatric treatment,” neglecting appropriate risk assessments or individualized safety planning upon discharge, and not ensuring timely or structured psychiatric follow-up after hospitalization.
Plaintiff argues these breaches directly caused conscious pain and suffering for Mr. Anning between March 15 and May 16 as well as economic losses including past medical expenses prior to death.
Under Count II for wrongful death pursuant to Virginia Code §8.01-50 et seq., Mary E. Anning asserts that her husband’s death “was foreseeable and preventable” had proper interventions been taken by healthcare providers employed by the defendant: “Had Defendant’s agents…involuntarily hospitalized Mr. Anning or otherwise ensured inpatient psychiatric treatment…the risk of suicide would have been substantially reduced.” She claims statutory beneficiaries have suffered both pecuniary losses such as lost income and funeral expenses along with non-pecuniary losses including sorrow and loss of companionship.
The complaint seeks judgment against the United States in the amount of five million dollars ($5 million), plus prejudgment interest and costs permitted under law.
Mary E. Anning is represented by attorneys Brewster S. Rawls (VSB No. 23604) and Glen H. Sturtevant (VSB No. 73458) of Rawls Law Group P.C., Richmond VA; case number is Case No.: 1:26-cv-00625.
Source: 126cv00625_Anning_v_United_States_of_America_Complaint_Eastern_District_Virginia.pdf
