Opinion ID: 1517661
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: FALSE IMPRISONMENT vs. NEGLIGENT CARE

Text: The Department also contends that because Ms. Petty's cause of action amounts to no more than a claim of false imprisonment, she is barred from recovery under the Tort Claims Act. See Tex.Civ. Prac. 101.057(2) (Vernon 1986 & Supp.1992) (excluding intentional tortsincluding false imprisonment from statutory waiver of sovereign immunity). The elements of false imprisonment are (1) willful detention, (2) without consent, and (3) without authority of law. Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Castillo, 693 S.W.2d 374, 375 (Tex.1985). Although Ms. Petty did allege her confinement was willful, involuntary, and unlawful, she did not plead false imprisonment. Rather, she pleaded that she was injured because of her confinement and the negligent care she received while institutionalized. The trial court did not submit a question on false imprisonment to the jury, nor did the jury's verdict or the trial court's judgment rest on any such theory. That Ms. Petty's injury occurred during the time she was institutionalized does not make her claim one of false imprisonment barring suit under the Tort Claims Act. See Young v. City of Dimmitt, 787 S.W.2d 50, 51 (Tex. 1990) (per curiam) (recognizing recovery available under Act for negligent conduct even though accompanied by intentional tort); cf. Cuddy v. Texas Dep't of Corrections, 578 S.W.2d 522, 524 (Tex.Civ.App. Houston [14th Dist.] 1979, writ ref'd n.r.e.) (court held Act did not shield government from liability for injuries arising from failure to provide adequate services incidental to rehabilitation of inmates); Jenkins v. State, 570 S.W.2d 175, 178 (Tex.Civ.App. Houston [14th Dist.] 1978, no writ) (court permitted suit for negligent provision of medical treatment to prison inmate). This case is not about false imprisonment. This case concerns the proper level of care a state hospital must employ when diagnosing and caring for its patients during commitment. Other courts have also recognized this distinction. [6] The jury found that the Department was negligent in its diagnosis and treatment of Ms. Petty. Their findings focused on, and the trial court's judgment was based upon, the poverty of her environment, relating specifically to the use and misuse of various diagnostic tools and treatment plans instrumental in causing her harm. That Ms. Petty suffered this harm in the context of her confinement does not operate to make her claim simply and exclusively one of false imprisonment. She was not sentenced to be incarcerated for a term of yearsshe was committed for treatment. The purpose of involuntary commitment is to provide appropriate therapy, where possible, to restore a productive and normal citizen to the larger community of society, not to remove them from the larger community as punishment. See Rouse v. Cameron, 373 F.2d 451, 452 (D.C.Cir.1967). Involuntary commitment is permissible only because of its humane therapeutic goals. Id. When the State negligently fails to pursue the goals, as here, liability may attach.