You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Suicide is a frequent basis for malpractice actions in psychiatry. A review of pertinent court decisions between 1927 and 1962 showed a distinct trend toward greater accountability for both doctors and hospitals. Recent cases in California support this trend. Stricter liability may thwart treatment by compelling a conservative posture with primary emphasis on safe custody. Court decisions which threaten or punish the agency of treatment may do so at the patient's expense.