This article outlines the legal case of a man suffering from schizophrenia who became a paraplegic after throwing himself from the 6th floor of a teaching hospital. The man believed he was the devil & was trying to kill himself. The case was settled for $300 000. The author is concerned that this type of incident will make psychiatric hospitals more like prisons than places of care. He also discusses the expected revision of legislation on the care of the mentally ill. (VM)