Did you receive physical therapy treatments at a city in Texas, such as Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, or El Paso? During these sessions, the therapist is required to have physical contact with the patient in order to lift them, demonstrate certain exercises, and help with modifications based on their range of mobility.
As you can imagine, this can result in a physical therapist crossing boundaries and touching the patient more than what is medically required. This includes unwelcome sexual touching that can lead to attempted, rape, and other forms of sexual assault. Sexual abuse during a physical therapy session is against the law, and those who commit these crimes must be held accountable.
As someone who was sexually assaulted by a physical therapist, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A sexual abuse lawyer at Normandie Law Firm is available to answers your questions and help you develop the right plan of action if a physical therapist in Texas subjected you to sexual assault.
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Sexual Assault under Texas Law
The definition of sexual assault will vary somewhat form one state to another, so it’s essential to understand the laws in Texas when it comes to sexual misconduct by a healthcare provider. In Texas, sexual assault is described as any form of unwanted sexual contact, meaning that it’s done without consent from the victim.
Under the law, it’s not just rape that counts as sexual assault. Groping, caressing, kissing, and other contact that is sexual in nature, which you did not agree to, is considered sexual assault. People who are victims of sexual abuse can end up with physical injuries, like sexually transmitted infections, damage to the reproductive organs, and unwanted pregnancy. But psychological damage from sexual assault is much more common, and most victims will have some form of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and social phobia. The combination of mental and physical injuries can also result in drug and alcohol abuse, along as suicidal tendencies.
Victims of sexual assault must get help as soon as possible, and thankfully, there are many support groups and therapists in Texas for those who are sexually abused. Exploring your rights and legal options with a sexual assault attorney is another course of action that can help you move forward with your life.
A Physical Therapist’s Duty of Care
As with any medical professional, those working in physical therapy have a duty of care to the patients they work with. Patients are legally entitled to a standard of care that’s based on knowledge, compassion, diligence, and professionalism.
As we mentioned, touching the patient at some point becomes necessary in the course of physical therapy. But there is a way to do this without overstepping boundaries that violate the patient physically and emotionally. No touching should take place without first informing the patient where and why the contact needs to happen. Furthermore, physical contact with the patient must be based on medical necessity.
Aside from the therapist, the people that own and operate the medical facility also have a duty of care to you and other patients. Clinic administrators, shift supervisors, and other people who do not work directly with patients are still obligated to supervise the staff, address complaints, and take measures to protect patients from inappropriate conduct. A medical facility’s duty of care includes thorough screening procedures and training, not just supervision once the employee starts working. If you would like more information on suing for sexual assault at a physical therapy center, reach out to us and schedule a free case review.
What Compensation is Available for Sexual Assault Victims?
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, including sexual assault by a physical therapist, you have the right to file a claim for monetary damages. So, what payments are included in sexual assault settlements and jury verdicts? The answer depends on various details that have to do with the abuse you suffered and its impact on your health and finances.
A physical therapist sexual abuse lawyer at our office can advise you of the damages you are entitled to, which may include:
- >Medical expenses: compensation for your medical needs, such as therapy sessions, hospital visits, surgery, medications, and hospitalization.
- Lost income: if your ability to perform your job duties is impaired, whether you are unable to work or need time off from your job, you can recover the value of lost wages and job benefits.
- Pain and suffering: you may be eligible for compensation towards the emotional distress and physical suffering that was inflicted on you as a result of errors with your prescription by a pharmacist.
- Punitive damages: if your case goes before a judge and jury, it’s possible that the level of negligence by the defendant meets the standard of gross negligence; i.e., conduct that is particularly outrageous in its ability to cause harm and suffering to others.
- Legal fees: the costs associated with hiring a pharmacy malpractice lawyer and court-associated fees.
You may not qualify for all the payments listed above, but you shouldn’t miss out on the full value of your case because you are inexperienced with the legal system. Our mission is to represent your interests and fight for every penny you deserve, no matter how long it takes. If you are looking for a lawyer in Texas with experience in negligence by employees at a pharmacy, contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.
Help from a Sexual Assault Lawyer in Texas
Sexual assault takes an unimaginable toll on your life, and those who are affected will always struggle with the trauma of what they went through. The effects are especially harmful when the abuse is committed by a physical therapist – someone we implicitly trust to provide us with compassion and effective medical care.
Victims of sexual assault can obtain free legal services from the lawyers of Normandie. We have a Zero Fee Guarantee policy that ensures you won’t pay out of pocket if going ahead with a lawsuit is right for you. Our Texas sexual assault lawyers only get paid by bringing you compensation in the form of a settlement or jury verdict. So, that means you owe us $0 in legal fees if we don’t win your case.
To receive a free case evaluation at a time that’s convenient for you, please get in touch with us here at Normandie Law Firm.
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