We often respond to physical injury or illness by seeking the help of rehabilitation and physical therapy providers. The goal of rehabilitation and physical therapy is to regain our health and well-being. When a rehabilitation professional fails to uphold the duty of care they owe, however, it can lead to serious injuries and losses. As you attempt to heal, a trusted Chicago rehabilitation and physical therapy malpractice lawyer can pursue full compensation for the losses connected to your injury.
If a rehabilitation professional or physical therapist’s negligence harmed you, help is available. At Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers, our experienced medical negligence attorneys can discuss a possible malpractice claim with you.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Negligence
The goal of rehabilitation and physical therapy is to help you regain as much physical function as possible. You expect medical professionals in these fields to address your unique needs by developing specialized treatment plans tailored to your specific physical concerns.
Those who provide rehabilitative care or physical therapy must meet the profession’s standards. When they fail to do so and cause harm in the process, medical malpractice can apply. Working with a knowledgeable rehabilitation and physical therapy negligence attorney in Chicago is the best course of action when this is the case.
What Are Common Rehab Malpractice Claims?
Our Chicago lawyers handle various recovery and physical therapy malpractice claims, but the most common belong to categories such as:
- Failing to adequately supervise
- Using improper techniques
- Implementing inadequate safety standards
- Disregarding the patient’s self-reporting
- Using defective equipment
- Failing to effectively assess, monitor, or manage the patient’s treatment plan
When these preventable errors occur, patients can suffer serious setbacks, prolonged recovery, or even permanent harm that may justify pursuing a malpractice claim.
Elements of a Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy Malpractice Claim
Our attorneys must present evidence to prove certain legal elements and bring a successful rehabilitation and physiotherapy negligence claim in Chicago.
Failure To Meet the Standard of Care
The law holds medical professionals, including those in rehabilitation and physical therapy, to a professional standard of care. This refers to a professional’s responsibility to their patients’ care and well-being.
Not every mistake made by a rehabilitation or physical therapy professional is malpractice. Instead, these medical professionals should apply the same level of diligence that other reasonable providers at the same professional level would under similar circumstances.
Direct Cause of Subsequent Harm
Failing to meet the professional standard of care is not enough to support a medical malpractice claim. Instead, the breached duty of care must be the direct cause of your injury. You must prove that, if it were not for the professional negligence in question, you would not have suffered an injury in the first place.
The fact that both rehabilitation and physical therapy are based on preexisting injuries makes breached duty a challenging element to prove. Having the professional representation of a dedicated rehabilitation and physical therapy lawyer is therefore crucial.
Legal Damages as a Result of the Injury
Finally, you must have suffered legal damages as a result of your injury. These losses can include current and ongoing medical bills; lost income, which may include reduced earning power and a damaged or derailed career; and the physical pain and emotional duress you suffer, which can surpass your other losses combined. You should not ignore the losses associated with malpractice in rehabilitation and physical therapy, which can be immense.
Injured During Rehab or Physical Therapy? Speak With a Malpractice Attorney in Chicago
A skilled Chicago rehabilitation and physical therapy malpractice lawyer at Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers welcomes the opportunity to put our proven record of success to work for you. Although we are a small firm, we have big firm experience.
Call our firm or contact us online today to learn more about what we can do to help you after suffering harm during rehab or physical therapy sessions.
