A blind woman is suing a man who allegedly published to the web a gory photo of the woman's suicide attempt.
Suffering a bout of depression two-and-a-half years ago, the woman had stabbed pencils into her eyes and alleges that a nurse at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center took a photo of her that made its way this July onto a shock site. Shock sites collect disturbing images.
The woman's name was not released in the suit, filed Monday, Oct. 20, to protect her privacy, which she claims was violated by the release of the picture.
"This graphic and horrifying picture was taken without the knowledge, consent, or permission of Jane Doe," the complaint says.
Joshua Shivers is accused of uploading the photo and taking credit for its popularity -- over 192,000 views -- by boasting on a social network "I finally made it in life!!! Please check out my shiz" and linking to the image.
Also named in the lawsuit are Shiver's mother, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and 20 of its employees.
The woman says in the suit that she recovered from her suicide, learning Braille and enrolling in college. But the knowledge that the photo is being circulated and may make people she meets aware of her suicide attempt was "deeply hurtful and humiliating," according to the suit.
