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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Mitchell on December 28, 2001, at 19:50:00
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>The case trial number, and all, are in
Redfield's book.Thanks for the reference, Jay.
> Why would you even think of questioning that this guy could be found guilty of negligence is way beyond me.
Well, I guess I want to go farther than that. I am not surprised that as controversial a physician as Dr. Szasz would have lost a civil case. I know of several cases in which respectable and talented physicians have paid settlements in civil cases. Physicians bear much risk. My surprise was that the information was not readily available on the Internet, though my search was only a preliminary search. All of the first several dozen results I checked (for Thomas+Szasz+guilty, or Thomas+Szasz+convicted or Thomas+Szasz+charged) returned mostly information about his status as a professor emeritus of psychiatry at SUNY, and indicated that he remains a physician. With more specific information to use in a search, perhaps I will find that somebody has considered the matter to which you refer significant enough to post accurate information about the case.
The information you have provided still confounds me. I found no results in a search for "State of New York vs. Thomas Szasz." I think you are suggesting that he was found liable in a civil case. Does Jamison say why this particular case set a precedent?
If you have the Jamison book handy, can you post the specific information, with case name, jurisdiction and number? Jamison's books are not available in nearby libraries or bookstores, and I would have no reason to buy the book other than to find the information to which you refer.
Posted by Shar on December 29, 2001, at 16:05:33
In reply to Re: Dr. Thomas Szasz found guilty? -- Jay, posted by Mitchell on December 28, 2001, at 19:50:00
I found a couple of things under szasz + lawsuit, but not much. I don't think the case made it through to a conviction or acquittal (or whatever the civil courts call it).
I thought it was interesting, tho, that there were references to a case involving szasz and scientology. Now that would be fun to watch!
Shar
Posted by Mitchell on December 29, 2001, at 21:40:46
In reply to Re: Dr. Thomas Szasz found guilty? --Mitchell, posted by Shar on December 29, 2001, at 16:05:33
> I found a couple of things under szasz + lawsuit, but not much. I don't think the case made it through to a conviction or acquittal (or whatever the civil courts call it).
Thanks for the tip, Shar. Unfortunately, the InterPsych Newsletter listserve returned in that search no longer offered the Nov. 18, 1994 Psychiatric News item titled "Szasz settles suit for $650,000".I think from the information provided through those search results, though, we can reasonably suggest that:
* No landmark legal precedent was set in a civil case filed by the estate of a patient of Dr. Szasz.
* Dr. Szasz was not charged with a crime.
* Dr. Szasz was not found "guilty" of incompetence, or of failure to provide necessary medical treatment, and or of any other charges.
* There was no finding of liability in a civil case filed by the estate of a former patient of Dr. Szasz.
* There were no findings of fact in the case that would explain whether the patient whose estate filed the suit stopped taking lithium then contacted Dr. Szasz. or stopped taking lithium because of Dr. Szasz' recommendation.
* The settlement between Dr. Szasz and the estate of a former patient contributed nothing to the legal understanding of physicians' duty to recommend or discourage use of medications.
I would still be interested to learn if the above suggestions are accurate, or exactly how Jamison represents the matter in her book. If anyone can provide relevant information, I would be grateful.
And Shar, I couldn't find any information in the szasz+lawsuit results about a *case* involving Dr. Szasz and Scientiology. But I can confidently suggest that Dr. Szasz is recognized as the founding director of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which is widely associated with Scientiology, but Dr. Szasz is not known to be a Scientologist. Thanks again for the tip.
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