Mertz v. Temple University Hospital

GOLDMAN, J.,

I

This case involves allegations of psychiatric malpractice concerning the failure to involuntarily commit a patient. On June 10, 1988, Phyllis Litostansky went to Temple University Hospital’s psychiatric emergency room seeking to have her husband Richard Litostansky *543involuntarily committed. Mr. Litostansky had a history of alcohol and substance abuse and had attempted suicide in the past. On June 10, Mr. Litostansky had written several suicide notes, each addressed to a different member of his immediate family. Upon learning about the notes, Mrs. Litostansky became increasingly…