Can a Physical Therapist be Sued for Medical Malpractice?

If you are a physical therapist, your clients trust you understand they are already severely injured, and will, therefore, take all the necessary precautions to ensure you do not hurt them further. If you are now facing a claim of medical malpractice, time is of the essence. Here are some of the questions you may have regarding medical malpractice claims:

What constitutes medical malpractice?

To win a medical malpractice lawsuit, a patient must first prove several key aspects. They must prove that you were indeed their physical therapist, and therefore owed them a duty of care. They must then prove that you breached the standard of care in some way and that they were significantly harmed as a result, whether by hefty future medical bills, or a severe injury sustained. These are serious accusations, and you may lose your right to practice if found guilty.

How can a physical therapist behave negligently?

Physical therapists are dealing with patients who are vulnerable in very specific places. Understandably, they are trusted to handle each patient with care, so as not to worsen their condition. Some of the most common forms of physical therapist malpractice include:

  • Sexual assault
  • Over-extending limbs
  • Failing to inform patients of risks
  • Leaving patients unsupervised on equipment
  • Failing to supervise
  • Using broken equipment or failing to repair broken equipment
  • Dropping patients
  • Ignoring patients’ complaints of pain
  • Failing to take patients physical condition into account before beginning treatment

What are some of the most common injuries sustained due to physical therapy malpractice?

Physical therapy malpractice is known for causing several unforgiving injuries, which is why you will need an experienced attorney to defend you if a patient claims he or she was injured as a result of your course of treatment. Some of the most common injuries are as follows:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Strokes
  • Heart attack
  • Broken bones
  • Strains or sprains
  • Concussion
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Lower back injuries

What happens in a medical malpractice lawsuit?

If you are a physical therapist and are facing a malpractice claim, you will most likely be investigated by the Office of Professional Discipline, or OPD. If you are under investigation, you must hire an aggressive and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney to fight in your corner. It is your duty to prevent untrue or unfair accusations from ruining your livelihood. Your best bet is contacting an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the medical malpractice claim process who defend you, tooth-and-nail.

Contact our experienced New York City firm

When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, it is essential that they retain strong legal representation. If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contact the Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation.