Dangerous Patients and the Tarasoff Doctrine

Psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners must know the reporting laws in their own jurisdictions, and take the required steps under those laws, if they want to avoid liability when a patient follows through on a threat to harm someone else.

20 minute read June 21, 2013 at 04:02 PM
By
Michael D. Brophy
Dangerous Patients and the Tarasoff Doctrine

In April of this year, previously sealed court records were opened in connection with the July 20, 2012, shooting attack at a Colorado movie theater. There, accused killer James Holmes allegedly caused 12 deaths and left more than 70 victims injured.

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