Former psychiatrist loses another lawsuit

by Jenn Farrell
The Coloradoan
July 7, 2000

Former Fort Collins psychiatrist Christian Hageseth III, who lost his license to practice medicine in December, last week lost a negligence suit brought by a patient.

A local jury ruled June 27 that Ray Smith suffered $146,548.10 in damages while under Hageseth’s care, including past and future medical bills and noneconomic loss for pain and suffering.

But the six-member jury also found that Smith was 5 percent responsible for those damages, bringing the amount owed by his former psychiatrist down to $139,220.69.

Smith was Hageseth’s patient from October 1996 to July 1997. The lawsuit, field in June 1999, claimed that while he was Hageseth’s patient he experienced symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. He also had a history of depression.

Hageseth prescribed medications that Smith claimed exacerbated his disturbances.

Smith’s claim was based on Hageseth’s behavior from June to July 1997. Hageseth became unavailable to his patients in June, Smith said, and in early July terminated his treatment.

Smith said Hageseth knew he was ill and that the abandonment was unprofessional.

Smith declined comment about the jury’s decision.

When contacted by the Coloradoan on Thursday for comment, Hageseth said “I just wish you’d let it alone.”

He said four psychiatrists testified in his favor during the trial.

“I’ve done so much for this community for so many years,” he said.

Hageseth treated patients in Fort Collins for 21 years before the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners forced him to close his practice.

For a year prior, the state regulatory board investigated a complaint filed against Hageseth by the ex-husband of former patient Laurel Burson, who now is Hageseth’s wife.

Paul Burson, Laurel Burson’s ex-husband, won a civil suit against Hageseth in Larimer District Court in April 1998 and was awarded $217,373 in damages.

Hageseth was expelled from the American Psychiatric Association for “unethical conduct.”

Hageseth denied Burson’s claim that he counseled his wife to leave him.

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Decision Confirmed by Colorado Appeals Court

Added: Jul 23, 2006 5:55 am | Trackback URI |  Email This Post  | Print