After an injury or illness, many people need physical therapy as a part of the recovery process. By receiving this form of treatment, patients can maintain or restore mobility and physical function and manage their pain on a day to day basis. The nature of physical therapy makes it necessary for the therapist to have physical contact with the patient. For example, they may need to touch a patient’s leg in order to evaluate its condition and guide them through a specific exercise.
A physical therapist should understand and respect a patient’s boundaries, but unfortunately, some of these individuals cross the line in order to commit acts of sexual assault. As a result, a physical therapy patient may be subjected to inappropriate touching, attempted rape, and rape.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse at a physical therapy center in Los Angeles, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit for monetary damages. Here at Normandie, we have a team of dedicated sexual abuse attorneys, who are ready to fight for your interests. Our legal experts have a proven track record of recovery of behalf of sexual assault victims. We understand the complex nature of these cases and how to obtain the highest possible settlement from medical professionals who are guilty of sexual misconduct.
Our law firm is here 24/7 if you would like to discuss your rights and legal options. Please reach out to us and talk to a physical therapist sexual offense lawyer in the Los Angeles area.
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Sexual Assault as Defined by California Law
Sexual assault as it’s defined in a legal sense will vary from one state to another. Under California law, sexual assault is not just rape, but any kind of unwanted sexual touching. In other words, the contact occurred without the victim’s consent, or the victim was not in a position to give consent (a minor, for example). Detailed information about the laws pertaining to sexual assault can be found in the California Penal Code Section 243.4.
Acts of sexual assault can cause physical and emotional suffering that can last for a lifetime. Even in cases where the victim has little to no physical injury, what happens on a psychological level can be extremely traumatic. Those who are sexually abused often struggle with depression, panic attacks, social phobia, sleep disorders, and other mental health issues. This can cause the victim to develop suicidal tendencies, self-harming behaviors, eating disorders, and substance abuse issues as mechanisms to cope with what they endured
As a physical therapy sexual assault victim, you have the right to seek justice by filing a personal injury claim against your attacker and other liable entities. If you would like more information on suing for sexual assault by a physical therapist, contact the Los Angeles attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
A Physical Therapist’s Duty of Care
Physical therapists and the facilities that employ them have a duty of care to the patients they serve. The standard of care is based on professional, ethical, and legal guidelines that have to do with patient safety and providing effective treatments. This includes any physical contact with the patient, which is a sensitive subject for many people. With that in mind, facilities must develop and enforce strict policies regarding appropriate conduct between physical therapists and patients. When there is breach in protocols, like sexual assault, the patient has the right to seek criminal prosecution, as well as compensation from a civil lawsuit.
The basis for a physical therapist sexual assault claim is based on negligence, which can include a variety of circumstances. For example:
- The clinic failed to use the proper screening procedures during the hiring process.
- There was a lack of supervision by administrators and supervisory staff.
- Employees received inadequate training, which resulted in a failure to recognize the signs of sexual abuse.
- Once the facility owners / operators were advised of sexual assault by a patient or staff member, they failed to take appropriate actions, like calling the police and removing the employee from the premises.
If you would like to learn more about suing a physical therapy center for sexual assault, please know that our legal team is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Restitution from a Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Filing a claim for sexual assault is a way to hold one or more individuals accountable for the harm you suffered. However, you are also seeking compensation for your physical and mental injuries, which allow you to demand some or all the following payments:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Cost of representation from a sexual abuse lawyer
Once we learn the relevant details about your case, we can advise you on the damages that are owed by the other party. The members of our legal team have many years of experience in sexual misconduct lawsuits, including those involving sexual assault by a physical therapist. You can count on us to put together a strong case and fight aggressively for the maximum amount that’s available to you based on your circumstances.
Normandie Law Firm
Coming to terms with the impact of sexual assault is a personal matter, and there is no right or wrong answer on whether you should file a lawsuit. No matter what you decide, it’s important to make an informed decision after learning about your rights and the legal actions that are available to you. That’s why we invite you to schedule a free, private consultation with one of our attorneys.
You do not have to pay an hourly fee or retainer if you would like to pursue a legal case with help from a physical therapist sexual abuse lawyer. Normandie Law Firm takes all cases on contingency and waits till the recovery of your settlement to claim the cost of representing you. This is part of the Zero Fee Guarantee – our promise to you that winning your case is the only way we get paid.
We look forward to hearing your story and guiding you through the legal system one step at a time.
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