A physician prescribed a tranquilizer for a young house wife who was “suffering under the burden of caring for three children.” A few weeks later while driving to the supermarket with her three children in the car, she fell asleep at the wheel and ran into a wall. All four in the car were injured. She sued the doctor. When the doctor was asked “Did you warn the patient that the tranquilizer could cause drowsiness and that she should not drive when taking it?” the doctor replied “no.” “I thought every one know that.” “Besides I thought the pharmacist would put on the usual warning label.”

The physician’s insurance paid a hefty sum.