Which case is the original Tarasoff case that established the duty to protect?

• A. Riese v. St. Marys Hospital
• B. Ewing v. Goldstein
• C. Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California
• D. LPS Act

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that clinicians have a responsibility to protect a potential victim when a patient reveals a serious intent to harm someone. The original Tarasoff case—Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California—established this duty to protect, holding that when a patient communicates a clear threat against a specific person, a therapist may (and sometimes must) breach confidentiality to warn the person at risk or take other protective steps. This case set the foundational rule that confidentiality isn’t absolute when there’s a real danger to others. The other items cover different aspects of mental health law and do not establish this protective duty.