Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Criminology and Criminal Justice
County Welfare Department Liability For Handling Reports Of Child Abuse, Kim Boyer
County Welfare Department Liability For Handling Reports Of Child Abuse, Kim Boyer
San Diego Law Review
When a social worker receives a complaint of child abuse and determines that the situation is non-urgent, should the county welfare department be held liable for subsequent injury to the child? This Comment analyzes the four contexts in which a special relationship with a county welfare department may arise and concludes that a duty of care should not be imposed upon county welfare departments in these situations. The author concludes that if the social worker reasonably determines that the situation was non-urgent, the county welfare department should not be held liable. Alternatively, even if a duty of care is imposed, …