On Dec. 26, 2002, plaintiff Dennis White, 38, a mechanic who was suffering anxiety, depression and panic attacks, presented to the office of his longtime treating psychiatrist, Garden City-based Dr. Richard Karpf. White claimed that Karpf seemed upset and that Karpf explained that he intended to purchase a boat and a car, but that the vehicles’ registration documents could not bear Karpf’s name. White contended that Karpf requested assistance, and White claimed that he offered that he may have been able to assist Karpf’s purchase of a car, but that the vehicle’s registration would have to bear Karpf’s name.
One day later, Karpf visited White’s place of employment. White contended that Karpf revealed that he intended to acquire an illegal gun, ammunition, trash bags and an axe. White became disturbed, so he contacted the police department. The police department launched an investigation, and White was given a portable recording device that allowed his secretive taping of Karpf’s statements. During subsequent conversations, Karpf revealed that he intended to murder a patient with whom he was alleged to have been engaged in an affair. Karpf also explained that he intended to murder and dismember other people, and he claimed that the dismembered bodies would be dumped in shark-infested waters.
On Jan. 8, 2003, Karpf was arrested. He was convicted and sentenced, and he surrendered his medical license. His imprisonment lasted about three months, and he was also subjected to five years of probation and psychiatric treatment.
White claimed that he was unwillingly involved in Karpf’s murderous plans, and he contended that he endured residual post-traumatic stress disorder.
White sued Karpf. White alleged that Karpf’s actions constituted medical malpractice.
Defense counsel conceded liability. The matter proceeded to a trial that addressed damages.
White claimed that he was unwillingly involved in Karpf’s murderous plans. At the time of the incident, White was suffering anxiety, depression and panic attacks. The conditions had necessitated about six years of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
White contended that Karpf had previously orchestrated a pyramid scheme. He claimed that he was involved in the scheme, which was perpetrated in 2001, and that, as a result, he began to lose faith in Karpf. As such, he sought the treatment of a psychologist. After Karp’s arrest, White’s treatment was entirely assumed by the psychologist. However, White subsequently abandoned the psychologist and began psychotherapy.
In 2008, White’s expert psychiatrist determined that White was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. White claimed that the condition is a product of Karpf’s malpractice. He contended that he suffers flashbacks in which he recalls Karpf’s descriptions of the methods in which he planned to murder his victims. White also contended that he fears that Karpf will harm him. White’s expert psychiatrist opined that White’s condition requires psychotherapy and a one-month-long hospitalization.
White sought recovery of his future medical expenses and damages for his past and future pain and suffering.
Defense counsel contended that White exaggerated the extent of the effect of Karpf’s malpractice. She noted that White’s psychological problems preexisted Karpf’s malpractice.
During the jury’s deliberations, the parties negotiated a $365,000 settlement.