Psychotherapists' legal responsibility to third parties: Does it extend toalleged perpetrators of childhood abuse?

Although psychologists generally have a legal duty only to their patients, some courts have created a duty to third parties who have been accused of c hild abuse. The authors review those cases and conclude that it is too soon to discern whether they represent aberrant decisions precipitated by unusu al circumstances or whether they present an ominous liability trend. The au thors argue that this expansion of the duty to this class of persons is con trary to the public interest. Recommendations are made to psychologists to minimize the likelihood of being sued by an aggrieved third party.