Victims of Negligence » Medical Malpractice » Psychiatric Malpractice

Psychiatric Malpractice

The failure of a mental health professional or mental health facility to take appropriate precautions to protect a patient who threatens or exhibits signs of impending suicide may give rise to a viable claim.

Our attorneys have obtained a significant settlement in a number of such cases. Most recently, a substantial settlement was reached on behalf of the family of a 36-year-old single man, who shot himself the day following his discharge from the psychiatric unit of a local hospital. The police found the patient, who had a long history of significant substance abuse difficulties and had previously attempted suicide, contemplating suicide by jumping from a bridge. He was taken to a psychiatric emergency room where an assessment indicated active suicidal ideations with a recommendation of hospitalization.

Following the patient's hospitalization it was discovered that insurance coverage was being denied for the admission. Throughout the several days he remained hospitalized, the attending psychiatrist was communicating with the patient's health insurance company in an attempt to transfer him to a facility where insurance coverage would be available. Upon learning that insurance coverage would not be provided for any psychiatric treatment, the patient was discharged "secondary to no insurance coverage."

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