The defendant psychologist was hired by a law firm to consult regarding the plaintiff’s decedent. The decedent was one of the law firm’s partners whom they believed had a serious alcohol abuse problem. The defendant was present during a meeting with the decedent. Several hours after the meeting, the decedent became intoxicated and committed suicide with a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendant psychologist and the decedent had formed a tangible doctor-patient relationship, and that the defendant’s conduct during the meeting did not meet the standard of care, resulting in the suicide death only hours after seeing the defendant. The plaintiff’s experts argued that even though there was no contract between the defendant and the decedent, the defendant psychologist owed a duty to the plaintiff.

The defendant contended that he was a consultant to the law firm only, and never had a defined treatment relationship with the decedent. Additionally, the defendant claimed that he met the standard of care and that nothing he did or failed to do contributed to the decedent’s independent decision to commit suicide.

The defendant’s experts testified that the decedent’s suicide death was caused by the decedent’s own independent and willful actions, and that this action was not foreseeable.

The jury returned a defense verdict, according to a report.

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