Situation 1. You are a doctor. One of your diabetic patients comes in to seek treatment and is disoriented, combative, and smells of alcohol. You do not know for sure if it is intoxication or severe hypoglycemia. You decide to restrain the patient and follow appropriate care, which is to administer intravenous dextrose. The patient refuses to cooperate and, removing his car keys from his pocket, starts for the door. What do you do? What are your possible liability consequences?
Situation 2. You are a lawyer for a doctor. One of the doctor’s former patients has suffered a grand mal seizure while driving and her passenger in the car was killed in the subsequent roll-over. The doctor diagnosed the patient for epilepsy three years earlier. The doctor could have, but did not, report the patient to the Dept. of Driver’s Licenses which in turn could have referred the matter to a medical panel for decision. The patient has done very well over the past three years and the doctor was surprised by the seizure. What do you advise the doctor about how the elements of Negligence fit his case?
