Plaintiff, a young woman in her early 20’s who had a very disturbed childhood, began treating with a female psychologist she met at a counseling center. Over time, the psychologist inappropriately engaged plaintiff in a personal, sexual relationship which culminated in a fight in which the therapist attacked plaintiff, and then used her authority to have plaintiff arrested and criminal charges brought against her.
Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP, was retained to represent plaintiff. The law firm was able to establish that because of the power dynamic between the therapist and patient the therapist bore full responsibility for this doomed relationship and alleged that it was an act of abuse for defendant to have plaintiff arrested when she was the source of plaintiff having a nervous breakdown, losing control, and entering into physical combat with defendant.
RESULT:
Judgment on behalf of plaintiff, $1,423,000