There are clear warning signs when an individual suffers from suicidal tendencies. In such cases, it is the responsibility of a medical provider to act in any way necessary to prevent the patient from harming him or herself. When the physician does not provide requisite care that would prevent the individual from harm, the physician may be guilty of medical malpractice.

Additionally, suicide has recently been linked to a class of drugs designed to treat clinical depression -- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Unfortunately, these drugs may have the opposite effect, especially in adolescent patients. Recently, SSRIs have been the subject of scrutiny by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and by private physicians for their possible to link to suicide among patients. It has been proven that these drugs can, when administered or prescribed incorrectly, lead to suicidal tendencies among a patient that result in the patient taking his or her own life. The brand names of the most commonly prescribed SSRI drugs in America are Paxil® and Prozac®.

If you believe a loved one may have committed suicide as a direct result of physician negligence, please contact the attorneys at Bostwick, Peterson & Mitchell today.