Negligence and Abuse in Psychiatric Care
Patients who suffer from mental illness are easy targets for abuse, neglect and exploitation by caregivers. They may suffer from emotional instability, impaired judgment or erratic behavior that can make them difficult to deal with. Many are unable to speak for themselves.
At Kinerk, Schmidt & Sethi, PLLC, our attorneys stand up for the rights of those who have suffered because of abusive or negligent treatment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or the staff members of hospitals or group homes.
Cases involving psychiatric abuse or negligence may involve:
- Failing to obtain a patient history
- Failure to diagnose or treat a mental health condition
- Failure to prevent patients from harming themselves or others
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Failure to supervise
- Inappropriate use of restraints
- Failure to use restraints when necessary
- Medication errors
- Sexual abuse or exploitation
Turned Away From or Mistreated at the Hospital
We have represented clients who were seriously injured because a hospital would not admit a mentally ill patient was in danger of harming himself or others. We have also obtained compensation for people who were mistreated or abused after admission to a hospital.
Our medical negligence lawyers obtained a confidential settlement for the widow of a mentally ill man who committed suicide while in the care of a hospital. The man came to the hospital emergency room because he was suicidal. He was unrestrained while being transported by a single staff member to the hospital's in-patient psychiatric unit. He got out of the wheelchair and jumped to his death out a second story window.
People with mental illness have rights. We are here to protect them. Please contact us to discuss your case. The initial consultation is free.
