This new text is based on Frederic G. Reamer's key reference for practitioners, Social Work Malpractice and Liability: Strategies for Prevention. Rooted in his own experiences as an expert witness in court and licensing board cases, the volume introduces the concepts of negligence, malpractice, and liability before turning to the subject of risk management. Reflecting on recent legal cases and research, Reamer identifies a variety of problems in the social work field relating to privacy and confidentiality, improper treatment and delivery of services, impaired practitioners, supervision, consultations and referrals, fraud and deception, and termination of service. He also explores the unprecedented ethical challenges created by new digital technologies-such as online counseling, video counseling, and practitioners' use of social networks and social media-and describes current issues relating to HIPAA compliance and access to electronic health records (EHR) and health information exchanges (HIE).He concludes with practical suggestions for social workers named as defendants in lawsuits and respondents in licensing board complaints.

Preface1. Professional Risk Management: An Overview Professional Malpractice and Liability Key Concepts in Risk Management The Elements of Malpractice and Liability Process Versus Outcome and the Standard of Care Damages in Liability Cases2. Confidentiality and Privileged Communication The Concept of Privacy Common Confidentiality Issues The Concept of Privileged Communication Responding to Subpoenas and Court Orders Unintentional Disclosure of Confidential Information3. The Delivery of Services Clients' Rights Informed Consent Clinical Assessment and Intervention Negligent Intervention Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships Managing Boundary Risks Undue Influence Suicide Involuntary Civil Commitment Protective Services Defamation of Character Digital Technology and Social Media4. Impaired Social Workers The Nature of Impairment Extent of Impairment Causes of Impairment Sexual Abuse of Clients Practitioner Substance Abuse Response to Impairment Risk Management Strategy The Challenge for Social Work5. Supervision: Clients and Staff Client Supervision Staff Supervision Supervision Case Law Supervision of Volunteers Liability and Social Work Education Preventing Supervisory Liability6. Consultation, Referral, Documentation, and Records Consultation in Social Work Referral in Social Work Social Work Documentation and Records Evolution of Social Work Standards Risk Management Standards and Guidelines7. Deception and Fraud Self-interested Deception and Fraud Deception and Fraud Motivated by Altruism8. Termination of Service The Concept of Abandonment Premature Termination Prevention Strategy9. Responding to Lawsuits and Ethics Complaints: The Role of Prevention In the Event of a Lawsuit or Licensing Board Complaint The Role of the Expert Witness Preventing Lawsuits and Licensing Board Complaints: Good Practice Preventing Lawsuits and Licensing Board Complaints: Good Ethics Ethical Dilemmas and Decision Making Conducting an Ethics AuditAppendix: Sample FormsNotesReferencesLegal CitationsIndex