Lawyers at DBMS successfully litigate a wide variety of civil cases and argue appeals in some of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country.

Professional Liability

Simpson v. Estate of Defendant Physician

Client:

Defendant Physician

Outcome:

Defense Verdict

Synopsis:

Decedent, age 56, suffering from known depression, anxiety attacks and possible psychosis, submitted to a nine-day voluntary psychiatric admission. During admission, a trial of different medical combinations was attempted, with the final combination consisting of Ritalin, Klonopin, Paxil, and Pavabid.

Decedent acted erratically on medication, but was discharged to be followed on an out-patient basis. The patient committed suicide four days after discharge, leaving a wife and two children.

Plaintiff alleged that the discharge was premature since there was no control over the patient on the new medication.

The case was complicated by the death of the defendant physician before he gave any testimony.

Plaintiff sought $3 million. The jury returned a defense verdict.