Includes bibliographical references (p. [277]-298) and index.

Preface -- Foreword / Robert H. Cohen -- 1.Professional Malpractice and Liability: An Overview -- The Nature of Negligence, Malpractice, and Liability -- The Incidence of Social Work Malpractice and Liability -- Key Concepts in Malpractice and Negligence -- The Elements of Malpractice and Liability -- Process Versus Outcome and the Standard of Care -- Damages in Liability Cases -- 2. Confidentiality and Privacy -- The Duty to Protect -- The Concept of Privileged Communication -- Responding to Court Orders -- Unintentional Disclosure of Confidential Information -- 3. Service Delivery: Improper Treatment -- Informed Consent -- Clinical Assessment and Intervention -- Undue Influence -- Suicide -- Involuntary Civil Commitment -- Protective Services -- Defamation of Character -- 4. Service Delivery: Impaired Social Workers -- The Nature of Impairment -- Extent of Impairment -- Causes of Impairment -- Sexual Abuse of Clients -- Practitioner Substance Abuse -- Response to Impairment -- The Challenge for Social Work -- 5. Supervision: Clients and Staff -- Client Supervision -- Staff Supervision -- Supervision Case Law -- Liability and Field Education -- Preventing Supervisory Liability -- 6. Consultation, Referral, and Records -- Consultation in Social Work -- Referral in Social Work -- Social Work Records -- 7. Deception and Fraud -- Self-Interested Deception and Fraud -- "Altruistic" Deception and Fraud -- 8. Termination of Service -- The Concept of Abandonment -- Premature Termination -- Arranging Coverage -- Prevention Strategy -- 9. Concluding Observations: The Social Worker as Defendant -- In the Event of a Lawsuit -- Preventing Liability: Good Practice -- Preventing Liability: Good Ethics -- Ethical Dilemmas and Decision Making.