Liability of professional and volunteer mental health practitioners in the wake of disasters: a framework for further considerations

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.

RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ

CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Liability of professional and volunteer mental health practitioners in the wake of disasters: a framework for further considerations
Citation	Abdel-Monem T, Bulling D. Behav. Sci. Law 2005; 23(4): 573-590.
Affiliation	University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, 121 South 13th Street, Suite 303, Lincoln, NE 68588-0228, USA.
Copyright	(Copyright © 2005, John Wiley and Sons)
DOI	10.1002/bsl.651
PMID	16094639
Abstract	Qualified immunity from civil liability exists for acts of disaster mental health (DMH) practitioners responding to disasters or acts of terrorism. This article reviews current legal regimens dictating civil liability for potentially wrongful acts of DMH professionals and volunteers responding to disasters. Criteria are proposed to inform determinations of civil liability for DMH workers in disaster response, given current legal parameters and established tort law in relevant areas. Specific considerations are examined that potentially implicate direct liability of DMH professionals and volunteers, and vicarious liability of DMH supervisors for actions of volunteer subordinates. The relevance of pre-event DMH planning and operationalization of the plan post-event is linked to considerations of liability. This article concludes with recommendations to minimize liability exposure for DMH workers in response efforts.