Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

In my 23 years as a medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago some of the most egregious cases I have seen have involved abuse and neglect by mental health professionals. Psychiatrists and psychologists have a tremendous amount of power in their relationships with their patients and when that power is abused it can have devastating consequences for the patient.

There are many ways that mental health professionals can commit malpractice or fail to meet the standard of care. One of the most shocking and degrading abuses arises when a mental health care professional fails to observe proper boundaries while treating a patient. For example, it is highly inappropriate for a psychologist or psychiatrist to have a sexual relationship with a patient while that patient is in treatment. Also, a mental health professional should not engage in business dealings with patients. This includes lending or borrowing money. If a psychiatrist improperly prescribes medication or neglects a patient known to be suicidal these can also be legitimate reasons to consult a lawyer about your rights.