Resource Tag: JUDICIAL RULINGS

This paper shows that preventing suicide risk in French prison regulations is thwarted in 2 prisons by professional criteria regarding credibility & solidarity, as well as by the balance of power between prisoners & guards, in addition to the realization, on the part of judges responsible for sentencing, of the risk posed by recidivists. The […]

The authors tested whether adjudicated decisions over whether to uphold or rescind the detention of psychiatric patients had implications in subsequent patient morbidity. Consecutive patients applying to the Consent & Capacity Board in Ontario between January 2001-March 2007 were identified. A total of 3498 decisions were rendered for 2321 unique patients. Approximately 18% of involuntary […]

The authors, a forensic psychiatrist & an assistant city attorney, present findings from their work in suicide-by-cop cases. The following areas are discussed: incident nomenclature & definition; decedent profiles & incident characteristics; psychological sequelae experienced by officers & law enforcement agencies; law enforcement training; & issues arising in subsequent litigation. JA

This article reviews several American cases in which psychiatrists &/or social workers failed to protect patients. This includes failure to conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial & lethality assessment, failure to warn of imminent risk of suicide, &/or breach of duty to care standards. Each case presentation concludes with recommendations for actions. Next, the article identifies common […]

This article focuses on suicide in jails following arrest & lockup. The paper begins with a description of suicide patterns in jails & prisons, followed by a discussion of the experience of arrest & incarceration. Other topics discussed include: negligence, deliberate indifference, punishment, & foreseeability; case law from the United States; & recomendations related to […]

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Decisions by university officials not to notify a student’s parents following a suicide attempt on campus have been severely criticized by some observers. Although courts have not imposed a parental notice requirement, the practice is advantageous to students in many situations. The author recommends a system of notification that relies primarily upon nonmedical student affairs […]

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This article discusses malpractice liability in the United States as it pertains to clinicians working with suicidal patients. The discussion is interspersed with information from judicial rulings. Strategies to avoid malpractice suits are outlined. (8 refs.)

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This article briefly discusses judicial rulings in two American cases where psychiatric patients died after treatment. In one case, the patient’s estate claimed the psychiatrist was negligent in discharging the patient from hospital without a post-discharge recovery plan. However, it was shown that such a plan was in place & the jury found for the […]

This article reviews three cases from the United States in which clinicians were sued for malpractice after the suicide or attempted suicide of a patient. In all three cases, the jury found for the defense. The author notes 4 things plaintiffs must show to win a malpractice claim: duty to care, negligence, harm, & causation. […]

Two American legal cases in which one patient died by suicide & another was the victim of homicide are reviewed in this article. In the case of suicide, the patient’s estate charged the psychiatrist was negligent & did not adequately evaluate or treat the patient when he was seen three years prior to his death. […]

This article examines the responsibility & liability of hospital managers in the event of patient suicide. In light of the increasing incidence of suicides in hospital premises in India, the author discusses this situation at length. A few cases are presented with the aim of creating a debate on this issue. (7 refs.)

This paper focuses on the current procedural protections in university policies handling students at risk of suicide. It is argued suicide ideation or attempt should not be treated as if the student has committed a disciplinary infraction but should be treated as a mental health issue. However, the use of disciplinary proceedings as a last […]

This article provides information for physicians on firearm deaths in Quebec. Risk factors for firearm homicide or suicide are listed as are questions to ask about the availability of guns when there is suspicion of suicide or homicide risk. There is brief discussion of intervention, confidentiality, & judicial rulings.

This article examines judicial rulings related to incidents of suicide-by-cop in the United States.

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To date, there has been little research generated or resources offered in the area of prison suicide prevention. Aside from a scattering of isolated research studies, the dissemination of information regarding prison suicide has been sporadic at best. This article, based on findings from a monograph produced by the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives, […]

This column examines college & university policies under which students who manifest suicidal ideation are barred from campus, usually by immediate suspension or mandatory withdrawal. Such policies, which appear to be increasing on American campuses, generally reflect administrators’ fears of legal liability for student suicide. Two recent cases are reviewed & suggestions are made of […]

The purpose of this article is to test the advisability of admitting evidence of attempted suicide by determining whether is is relevant to a fair inference of conscious & actual guilt &, if so, whether any of the recognized rules of exclusion in American law would bar its admission. It is concluded that any connection […]