Stepakoff v. Kantar

Helen J. Stepakoff, widow of Gerald Stepakoff (Stepakoff) and executrix of his estate, brought this action in the Superior Court against William G. Kantar, Stepakoff’s psychiatrist. The plaintiff alleged that, although the defendant either knew or reasonably should have known that Stepakoff was suicidal, he negligently failed to inform her of that fact or to make appropriate arrangements for Stepakoff’s protection, as a result of which Stepakoff committed suicide. The plaintiff seeks damages for Stepakoff’s conscious suffering and wrongful death.

The case was tried to a jury. The trial judge…