A physical therapist’s patients are vulnerable. They put their trust in their physical therapist to provide them with a duty of care When this duty of care is breached, a medical malpractice claim may be filed. If you are facing a medical malpractice claim, it is important to understand the details of this process. To learn how a physical therapist can act negligently, the most common injuries sustained due to physical therapist negligence, and the ways for a patient to file a successful claim, continue reading. Reach out to our experienced New York medical defense attorney today to learn the next steps that you should take to protect your career. If you have any further questions, give our firm a call.
What are the most common examples of physical therapist negligence?
The most common examples of negligence committed by a physical therapist include the following acts:
- Leaving patients unsupervised on equipment
- Ignoring patient’s complaints of pain
- Using broken equipment
- Failing to supervise
- Dropping patients
- Over-extending limbs
- Sexual assault
- Failing to repair broken equipment
- Failing to take patient’s physical condition into account before starting treatment
What are some of the most common injuries sustained due to physical therapist malpractice?
When a physical therapist acts negligently, this can result in severe injuries. Some of the most common injuries or damages include the following:
- Lower back injuries
- Concussion
- Heart attack
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Fatigue
- Strains or sprains
- Strokes
- Anxiety or depression
How can a patient in a medical malpractice lawsuit?
For a patient to file a successful medical malpractice lawsuit, they will have to prove three factors:
- Their physical therapist owed them a duty of care
- They breached that duty of care
- They were injured as a result of this breach in care
The Office of Professional Discipline will launch an investigation into this specific incident cited in the claim. To determine if the physical therapist should be allowed to continue their practice, the OPD will scrutinize the details of the case.
If you are a physical therapist facing medical malpractice allegations, it is important to know that you are able to fight these claims. Our experienced medical defense attorney will explore all avenues of defense on your behalf. To learn more about our services and how we can assist you, contact us today to schedule an initial consultation when you are ready.
Contact our experienced New York City firm
When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, they must 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.
