The plaintiff, age fifty-three, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed Risperdal by her treating psychiatrist. In January 2003 the plaintiff was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse with the defendant, an independent counselor. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant told her she needed to be “drug-free” to work with her, which included prescription medication. This caused the plaintiff to cease taking the Risperdal, resulting in a manic episode.

The defendant denied advising the plaintiff to stop taking the medication and argued that the plaintiff had a longstanding history of failing to take medication prescribed by her psychiatrist.

According to a published account a defense verdict as returned.

With permission from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts; Lewis Laska, Editor, 901 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203-3411, 1-800-298-6288.