Hinkelman v. Borgess Medical Center

Plaintiff Terry Hinkelman, as administrator of the estate of Virginia Hinkelman, appeals from an order of summary judgment on behalf of defendant Borgess Medical Center. This case requires us to explore the extent to which liability can be imposed on a psychiatric treatment facility for injuries caused to third persons by the actions of a psychiatric patient.

In early 1978, decedent Virginia Hinkelman and Daniel Travis lived together. However, as time passed, Travis became suspicious and possessive of Hinkelman. In June, Travis obtained counseling through a nonprofit consultation center. He…