Parents of Army Soldier File Federal Lawsuits Alleging Army Cover-Up and Delayed Action Following Son's Suicide

Key Points:

• Family of 19-year-old soldier PFC Noah Samuel-Siegel filed two federal lawsuits alleging the U.S. Army covered up critical details following his suicide in South Korea in 2021.
• The lawsuits filed by the Federal Practice Group allege that the Army delayed reports, issued conflicting findings, withheld key facts, and failed to act on a long pending medical malpractice appeal, deepening the family's trauma.
• The family seeks accountability and reform in how the military addresses suicide prevention and post-death investigations.

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The parents of Private First-Class Noah Samuel-Siegel, a 19-year-old Army soldier who died by suicide while stationed in South Korea, have filed two federal lawsuits; one under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and one under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the FTCA lawsuit alleges that after setting in motion and then failing to monitor or respond to a rapid decline in Noah's mental health, the Army misled his grieving family and obstructed internal investigations. Background details in the complaint describe how Noah faced threats, harassment, and retaliation after expressing concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, including being told his discharge would be "no different than a sex offender" if he refused the shot.

The Federal Practice Group and co-counsel J. Peter Veloski of Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky filed the lawsuit on behalf of Noah's parents, Margaret and Yehonatan Samuel-Siegel. The lawsuit claims the Army's failure to share truthful, timely, and complete information caused them to suffer greater emotional distress.

A separate APA lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado by the Federal Practice Group, asks the Court to compel the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to take final action on the family's medical malpractice appeal. That claim was originally filed under the Military Claims Act, following the Army medical personnel's failure to intervene after Noah displayed clear warning signs of suicidal ideation—including alcohol misuse, insomnia, and social withdrawal. Noah died by suicide on or around November 6, 2021; his body went undiscovered in his barracks.

The Army denied the claim in July 2024; an appeal has been pending with the DHA for over 6 months, with no further updates to the family.

"Noah enlisted to serve his country—not to be bullied to death," said Margaret and Yehonatan Samuel-Siegel. "The Army's toxic leadership put Noah at risk. The Army then ignored protocols that could have saved him. The Army failed Noah, and then us, at every turn."

The FTCA complaint outlines how the Army delayed reports, issued conflicting findings, and omitted or distorted key facts during the official Army brief—including Noah's mental health symptoms and the command's unauthorized efforts to separate him from service.

"These lawsuits are not just about accountability for Noah's death—it's about demanding systemic change in how the military addresses mental health, bullying, and truth-telling to grieving families," said Carol Thompson, attorney for the Samuel-Siegel family and Deputy Managing Partner of the Federal Practice Group.

About Federal Practice Group
Federal Practice Group is a law firm based in Washington, D.C., representing federal employees, military personnel, whistleblowers, and individuals harmed by government misconduct. With extensive experience in FTCA claims, military justice, and constitutional rights, the firm is dedicated to pursuing justice, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of government. Learn more at www.fedpractice.com.

Media Contact:
Megan Hottman
Director of Marketing, Federal Practice Group
[email protected]
(202) 862-4360

SOURCE Federal Practice Group