Court Opinion

ID: 9706099
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 01:31:33.195261+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:24.244511
License: Public Domain

*162JON P. WILCOX, J.
¶ 81. (concurring). It is with a bit of reluctance that I join the majority in its decision today. Without question, this is not an easy case — the allegations by Nancy K. Anneatra, true or false, are disturbing and regrettable. Nevertheless, I agree with the majority that there are genuine issues of material fact at issue in this case. I write separately to reiterate the narrow scope of the majority's decision based upon the unique facts of this case.
¶ 82. As I understand the majority's interpretation of the plaintiffs' third-party professional negligence claims, it is limited to "the harm that arose directly as a result of Anneatra's accusations." Majority at 145. It does not include loss of society or companionship, or their estrangement from Anneatra. Majority at 138-39, 146-47. The majority has similarly limited the Estate's claim to "damages associated with the plaintiffs inability to engage in the activities of life he or she had been able to prior to the defendant's negligence, and they are not damages predicated upon a relationship with another person," as well as damages for pain and suffering and expenses. Majority at 151-53. The majority's public policy arguments are premised on the limited nature of these claims and are now the law of the case. Univest Corp. v. General Split Corp., 148 Wis. 2d 29, 38-39, 435 N.W.2d 234 (1989).
¶ 83. Despite the limited nature of the majority's holding, I am still concerned that by allowing this suit to go forward others will soon follow. From a public policy standpoint, such actions may place an unreasonable burden on therapists' treatment choices and on confidentiality between therapists and patients.
¶ 84. The majority dismisses the defendants' public policy concerns relating to the restriction of a therapist's choice of treatments. I however believe that *163the concerns expressed by the Illinois Supreme Court are well-founded.
Approval of the plaintiff s cause of action, however, would mean that therapists generally, as well as other types of counselors, could be subject to suit by any nonpatient third party who is adversely affected by personal decisions perceived to be made by a patient in response to counseling. This result would, we believe, place therapists in a difficult position, requiring them to answer to competing demands and to divide their loyalty between sharply different interests. Concern about how a course of treatment might affect third parties could easily influence the way in which therapists treat their patients. Under a rule imposing a duty of care to third parties, therapists would feel compelled to consider the possible effects of treatment choices on third parties and would have an incentive to compromise their treatment because of the threatened liability. This would be fundamentally inconsistent with the therapist's obligation to the patient. . .to the patient's ultimate detriment.
Doe v. McKay, 700 N.E.2d 1018, 1023-24 (Ill. 1998). The mere threat of a lawsuit may ultimately hinder beneficial treatment by therapists and/or counselors.
¶ 85. The majority also dismisses the doctors' concerns about confidentiality between a therapist and patient due to Anneatra's death. However, in the next case, the defendant(s) may be presented with a different situation, one in which the therapist cannot properly defend himself or herself without revealing confidences disclosed in sessions. All communications between a patient and his or her therapist are privileged and are subject to limited disclosure. Wis. Stat. § 905.04(2), (3) and (4)(c) (except when patient's physi*164cal, mental or emotional condition is raised as an element of a patient's claim or defense).
¶ 86. As the United States Supreme Court has recognized, effective therapy "depends upon an atmosphere of confidence and trust" in which the patient is willing to completely disclose facts, emotions, memories and fears, generally of a very sensitive nature. Jaffee v. Redmond, 518 U.S. 1, 10 (1996)(extending therapist privilege to social workers). Disclosure of such sessions may cause embarrassment or disgrace, and "the mere possibility of disclosure may impede development of the confidential relationship necessary for successful treatment." Id.
¶ 87. By allowing third-party actions against therapists, patients may be faced with a difficult choice between preserving the confidentiality of patient-therapist communications or assisting the therapist in responding to the action. "The [physician-patient] privilege serves the public interest by facilitating the provision of appropriate treatment for individuals suffering the effects of a mental or emotional problem. The mental health of our citizenry, no less than its physical health, is a public good of transcendent importance." Id. at 11. Because of the strong public interest in effective treatment, and in maintaining confidentiality between the therapist-patient, I believe we must be cautious in imposing a broad duty of care toward third parties.
¶ 88. For the foregoing reasons, I concur.