Lichtenstein v. Montefiore Hospital & Medical Center

This is an action for damages for wrongful death of Gary Lichtenstein, husband of plaintiff Ruth Lichtenstein. Plaintiff alleges that Gary’s death was caused by the negligence of defendant-appellant, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center (hereinafter "hospital”), in permitting Gary to escape ("elope”) from an open psychiatric unit at the hospital, as a result of which, plaintiff alleges, Gary committed suicide a few hours later by jumping under a subway train. The jury rendered a verdict in favor of plaintiff against the hospital and against two physicians, Drs. Schneider and Penziner. The…