The family of a Cascadia Health employee who was fatally stabbed while working alone at a residential mental health facility has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit, The Oregonian reported July 21. The suit alleges the organization failed to address repeated safety concerns before the July 2023 killing.
Here are six things to know:
- The lawsuit seeks $51.01 million. The complaint, filed in Multnomah County in Oregon last week, seeks $50 million for Haley Rogers’ alleged conscious pain and suffering, $500,000 for intentional misconduct, $500,000 for her family’s loss of companionship and $10,000 in funeral expenses.
- The employee was working alone. Ms. Rogers, 26, was reportedly the only staff member on the overnight shift at Cascadia’s McCarthy Place group home in Gresham, Ore., when a patient allegedly found a knife in an accessible drawer and fatally stabbed her in July 2023. According to the lawsuit, she remained conscious after the attack with no one available to assist her.
- The family alleges repeated safety failures. The complaint alleges Cascadia failed to respond to 16 patient assaults against staff between March and July 2023 and did not implement adequate safety measures, including increased staffing, surveillance cameras, two-way radios, secure storage of sharp objects or an escape route for staff. According to the report, Cascadia implemented surveillance cameras and an emergency alert system after the incident.
- The patient was found guilty except for insanity. James Smith, 62, was found guilty except for insanity in April 2025 on charges including second-degree murder due to his schizophrenia diagnosis. Mr. Smith was committed for life to Oregon State Hospital in Salem.
- The lawsuit alleges warning signs were ignored. According to the complaint, staff repeatedly raised concerns about Mr. Smith’s behavior before the attack. The lawsuit also alleges Mr. Smith requested a transfer to a more secure facility and that Ms. Rogers advocated for surveillance cameras and an emergency alert system before her death.
A Cascadia Health spokesperson told Becker’s in a statement, “Haley Rogers was a valued member of the Cascadia Health community, and her death remains a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends, and colleagues.
Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by this tragedy. Because this matter involves ongoing litigation, we are unable to comment on the specific allegations contained in the lawsuit.
The safety of our staff, clients, and community remains a top priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing vital services to those we serve, Cascadia continuously reviews its operations, policies, and practices to support a safe environment for those we serve and those who work here.”
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