Maben v. J. H. Rankin

— Plaintiff recovered a judgment of $78,000 for false imprisonment and assault and battery against Dr. J. H. Rankin, a psychiatrist, and the Beverly Hills Medical Clinic, a partnership of physicians of which Dr. Rankin was a member.

The evidence established without conflict that Dr. Rankin caused plaintiff to be taken, without her consent, to the psychiatric ward of St. John’s Hospital, a private institution, and to be detained there while he gave her electroshock treatments. Plaintiff testified that she was examined by Dr. Rankin at her husband’s request, that she was not mentally ill but was…