Jinkins v. Lee

In this case we consider whether the doctrine of sovereign immunity bars plaintiffs claim for negligence against mental health professionals. Plaintiff, Earlean Jinkins (Earlean), filed her complaint individually and as administrator of the estate of George Jinkins (George), her husband, against the defendants Dr. Choong Lee and Paullette Medlin, employees of the John J. Madden Mental Health Center (Madden Center). Plaintiff alleges that defendants failed to properly diagnose and treat George’s mental illness, such that George should have been subject to involuntary commitment. This failure,…