John Pieraccini's family alleges that a doctor in Henry County did not follow proper care guidelines for patients with anxiety disorders.

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A jury awarded the family of a metro Atlanta man more than $8 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit involving mental health.

John Pieraccini's family alleges that a doctor in Henry County did not follow proper care guidelines for patients with anxiety disorders.

“He was a really great son," Peiracini's father, John said. "He was kind. He was gentle. He would do anything for anybody. He loved his family. His family loved him."

The 27-year-old was engaged and moved to Atlanta to work for Delta Air Lines as a mechanic. His father said John developed anxiety after his move and visited the doctor to get help.

“He went to a GP, a general practitioner, and he was prescribed an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety medication,” said his father. 

That doctor is Jameson Estes, who operates a clinic in Henry County. John died by suicide less than a month after being prescribed Xanax and Citalopram.

After an extensive investigation waged by the family’s attorney, they found gaps in John’s treatment that they say led to his death.

“You have to do a very good history of your patient. You have to educate your patient on how to use the drug and what sort of signs to look for. Then, as John mentioned, the most important thing is that we know within the first four weeks of taking an anti-depressant there’s an increased risk of suicide,” said Andy Conn with Henry Lowry Manton Law Firm.

Dr. Cecil Bennett of Newnan Family Medicine suggests treating patients with a multi-pronged approach.

“There’s a very important component as well for treating mental illness. It’s therapy," Bennet said. "It’s one thing to get certain medications to control certain hormonal levels, but it’s something else to learn how to manage these situations when you’re anxious or you’re depressed or you’re stressed."

Last week, a Henry County jury found Estes and venture medical associates failed in its treatment of John’s anxiety. The jury found them 51% responsible for his death and awarded the family $8.5 million.

Although it won’t bring John back, his dad is hoping the jury's decision will help others.

“We were hoping that this would raise awareness of this issue. One thing I Iearned during the trial after listening to the doctor and multiple other sources is that mental illness is more prevalent than we really know,” his father said.