What is Therapist Malpractice?

A therapist owes a duty to use reasonable care in his or her treatment of a patient or client. When the therapist violates that duty by either acting negligently toward the patient, intentionally harming, sexually abusing or defrauding the patient, it is considered a breach of the duty of care.

The following may be examples of therapist malpractice:

• Repeatedly touching or hugging the patient
• Nontherapeutic contact outside of the therapist's office
• Hiring the patient or using the patient as an unpaid volunteer
• Talking about other patients
• Disclosing personal problems or intimate details of personal life, such as sexual experience
• Giving or accepting a valuable gift or loan
• Addressing the patients with a pet name
• Dressing seductively
• Ignoring mounting unpaid bills for treatment
• Offering not to charge or to greatly reduce the fee for sessions, even when the patient can afford the cost
• Permitting a patient to run errands or do other small favors for the therapist
• Using data from a therapy session (such as inside knowledge of a good investment) for personal gain
• Spending time -- and wasting the patient's money -- talking about the therapist's problems
• Promoting the therapist's religious belief system
• Promoting involvement in a social or political cause that the therapist is fond of
• Joining the therapist in an investment or business venture
• Encouraging patients to engage in cult like behavior with the therapist as a guru

Contact Us
Therapist malpractice cases are among the most complex cases and should be handled with the help of an experienced attorney. Hala Gores can help you understand your rights and receive the compensation you may be entitled to as a result of this type of malpractice.

For a free evaluation of your case, [click here].

DISCLAIMER

These materials have been prepared by Hala J. Gores, P.C. for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between the sender and receiver. Internet subscribers and on-line readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Information submitted on this website or by email should not be considered confidential. If this concerns you, telephone or write to us by regular mail.