Champagne v. United States

MESCHKE, Justice.

We consider the effect of comparative fault on a medical provider’s tort liability for treating a patient with suicidal ideas when the patient commits suicide. Under NDRAppP 47 the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit certified questions of law to this court:(1) Is a suicide victim’s fault to be considered under North Dakota’s Comparative Fault Statutes, § 32-03.2-01 and 02; and(2) Is any fault of the suicide victim attributable to the plaintiffs Debra Champagne and Richard Champagne who are the parents and surviving heirs of the suicide victim and institute…