Child psychiatry and legal liability: implications of recent case law

This paper discusses some recent developments in the law which affect the practice of child psychiatry. New areas of professional liability are reviewed including the legal responsibility of the psychiatrist for "negligent" evaluations. Also discussed is the impact of child abuse legislation upon the standard of care in child psychiatry. The increasingly important role of psychiatrists in the legal system is viewed as a trend which will place the profession at greater risk of civil liability in the future. The need for generally accepted guidelines for conducting specialized evaluations is emphasized.