Mental health malpractice
The negligence of a healthcare provider can have devastating consequences
No one is sued for acting responsibly and providing the proper standard of care.
Mental health malpractice can happen when a doctor fails to exercise a degree of skill that would be reasonable expected of a doctor in similar circumstances. In cases involving suicidal patients and mental health malpractice, the patient may try to kill him or herself, or succeed in doing so, due to psychiatric negligence or psychological negligence.
Factors in a medical malpractice case
To establish a case of malpractice, four factors must be present:
- A doctor-patient relationship
- The doctor (psychiatrist or clinician) breaches the duty of reasonable care
- Harm occurs (such as a suicide or injury from a suicide attempt)
- A causal link must be established between the negligence and the injury
Some healthcare providers provide competent care. When the provider causes significant harm, it's important to speak to an attorney. Attorney Skip Simpson understands the upheaval a suicide brings to a family. Surviving family members may be reluctant to pursue a malpractice lawsuit. The amount of recovery depends on a number of factors specific to each case. Some of the issues involved the amount of lost wages, medical expenses, economic losses to the survivors, grief, and other specific items. At times caps on damages are a factor.
Keep in mind that a lawsuit may be the best way to demand accountability and make sure that fewer people die from suicide. Your actions may help to save the lives of others experiencing the same suffering.
How a lawyer can help
Contact a suicide lawyer at the Law Offices of Skip Simpson. We passionately believe in suicide prevention. Our firm is well-versed in the law and has vast experience representing survivors of relatives who died by suicide. Call 214-618-8222 or complete our online contact form today.
