What defines false imprisonment?

False imprisonment is defined as restraining or restricting an individual's freedom of movement without their consent. In a healthcare context, this can involve keeping a patient in a facility against their will or using physical restraints without just cause. The key element of false imprisonment is that it deprives an individual of their liberty, which can result in legal consequences for healthcare providers or facilities.

While involuntary commitment to a facility touches on the broader themes of patient rights and clinical care, it does not completely encompass false imprisonment, particularly if the commitment is conducted through lawful, recognized procedures following mental health statutes. Providing insufficient health care and failing to obtain informed consent pertain more to aspects of malpractice and ethical obligations, rather than to the specific legal definition of false imprisonment. Thus, restraining or restricting an individual's freedom captures the essential characteristics of this legal concept.