Psychiatric Malpractice: A Regional Incidence Study

Abstract

Systematic studies of psychiatric malpractice are scarce. Defendant psychiatrists try to avoid publicity, and many cases escape notice. A survey of psychiatric malpractice claims in southern California between 1958 and 1967 showed no increase in claims rate and an average of 1.5 claims per 100 psychiatrists per year. Most claims were settled for a modest fee before trial. The author describes some malpractice cases and analyzes different types of risks.