Psychologists play a critical role in our society by working to improve the mental health of their clients. Unfortunately, there are instances where psychologists might not choose the best option for treatment during their practice. This could lead to an investigation being opened by the Office of Professional Medical Conduct. It is also possible for investigations to be opened by the OPMC that are wrongly accusing psychologists of malpractice. No matter the circumstance, the future of a psychologist’s practice is at stake. If you are facing a medical malpractice claim, we understand that you want to protect your right to practice wholeheartedly. Reach out to an experienced New York City defense attorney today to understand how our firm can help you. Continue reading to discover what constitutes medical malpractice, the most common types of psychologist negligence, and what happens when an OPMC investigation is launched against a psychologist.
What constitutes medical malpractice?
To successfully sue a licensed medical professional for medical malpractice, the individual will have to prove that they were the psychologist in question’s patient and the psychologist owed them a duty of care. They must also prove that the psychologist deviated from the standard of care resulting in their harm. Finally, they must provide proof that the psychologist’s actions led to significant suffering, mentally or monetarily.
The Most Common Types of Psychologist Negligence
Psychologists can be accused of a range of negligent acts. Some of the most common types of psychologist negligence include the following acts:
- Threatening or intentionally frightening a patient
- Engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship with a patient
- Failing to diagnose or notice harmful conditions
- Prescribing medications without informed consent
- Sharing information without a patient’s consent
- Neglecting to conduct a suicide risk assessment
- Improperly diagnosing a patient
- Falsifying patient records
- Creating false memories
- Failing to prevent a suicide
What happens when an OPMC investigation is launched against a psychologist?
If you are facing a medical malpractice lawsuit, first, an investigation will be launched by the Office of Professional Medical Conduct. If you are found guilty of the charges alleged against you, you have a good chance of losing your right to practice. If you are facing medical malpractice charges, you need to reach out to an experienced OPMC defense attorney who will walk you through each step of the way. Contact our firm today to schedule an initial consultation. We are ready to fight for you.
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.
