The Supreme Judicial Court ruled today that doctors can be sued if one of their patrons goes out and kills somebody because of what they were prescribed. Bartenders and liquor stores have faced similar liability in Massachusetts for years.

Terry Klein has the details of the ruling, which involves a man prescribed a smorgasbord of drugs who lost consciousness while behind the wheel and struck a 10-year-old boy standing on a sidewalk, killing him. The doctor was found liable for the death because he didn't notify the man that the drugs given to lessen the effects of chronic lung disease could impair his driving abilities; ironically, the doctor did warn him of such effects during an earlier round of treatment, during which the man did not drive.

Klein, however, doubts the less than resounding decision (only three justices agreed with the plaintiff in the case) will stand for long; predicting the legislature will quickly get involved.