ALTHAUS EX REL. ALTHAUS v. COHEN


756 A.2d 1166 (2000)

Nicole L. ALTHAUS, a minor, by Richard T. ALTHAUS and Cheryl Renee Althaus, her parents and natural guardians, and Richard T. Althaus and Cheryl Renee Althaus, in their own right, Appellees, v. Judith A. COHEN, M.D., and University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Institute And Clinic, Appellants.

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Decided August 22, 2000.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Jeffrey T. Wiley, Larry A. Silverman, Pittsburgh, for Judith A. Cohen, M.D., et al.

Robert B. Hoffman, Harrisburg, Dennis A. Watson, Pittsburgh, for PA Psychiatric Society.

Charles F. Scarlata, Martha E. Bailor, Pittsburgh, for Nicole, Richard and Cheryl Althaus.

Before FLAHERTY, C.J., and ZAPPALA, CASTILLE, NIGRO, NEWMAN and SAYLOR, JJ.


OPINION OF THE COURT

CASTILLE, Justice.

The issue in this case is whether a therapist who treats a child for alleged parental sexual abuse owes a duty of care to the child's parents in a therapeutic treatment situation where the child allegedly has been abused by the parents. Because we hold that a treating psychiatrist or psychologist does not have a duty to the non-patient parents, we reverse the decision of the Superior Court finding appellant...

Let's get started

Leagle.com

Welcome to the leading source of independent legal reporting
Sign on now to see your case.
Or view more than 10 million decisions and orders.

  • Updated daily.
  • Uncompromising quality.
  • Complete, Accurate, Current.

Listed below are the cases that are cited in this Featured Case. Click the citation to see the full text of the cited case. Citations are also linked in the body of the Featured Case.

Cited Cases

  • No Cases Found

Listed below are those cases in which this Featured Case is cited. Click on the case name to see the full text of the citing case.

Citing Cases