Physical therapy is often a crucial part of recovery for individuals healing from surgery, injury, or neurological conditions. Patients undergoing therapy trust their providers to design and administer treatment plans that support healing, reduce pain, and restore function. Unfortunately, when physical therapists act carelessly or fail to tailor their approach to a patient’s unique condition, serious harm can result. Physical therapy malpractice can lead to permanent injury, setbacks in recovery, or the need for surgical intervention. If you suffered harm while under the care of a physical therapist and believe it may have been the result of improper treatment, you have the right to seek compensation, and you should talk to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have the knowledge and skill required to present a compelling case, and if you hire us, we will aid you in the pursuit of any available damages.
Physical therapists provide hands-on treatment, exercise regimens, and rehabilitative care intended to improve patient mobility and quality of life. Because the care they provide involves manipulating joints, muscles, and nerves, precision and clinical judgment are essential. Physical therapy malpractice occurs when a therapist’s conduct falls below the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm. This can take many forms, including applying excessive force, performing techniques that aggravate an existing injury, failing to monitor a patient’s response to treatment, or implementing an unsafe plan of care. In some cases, malpractice may arise from neglecting to obtain a proper medical history or failing to coordinate with other healthcare providers.
The harm resulting from physical therapy malpractice varies widely depending on the patient’s condition and the nature of the error. A patient recovering from spinal surgery may experience nerve damage or re-injury if improperly manipulated. A stroke survivor could lose valuable progress or sustain new injuries if advanced exercises are introduced too soon. In other instances, overexertion or poor supervision may cause muscle tears, joint dislocations, or falls. These injuries can set a patient’s recovery back by weeks or months, increase pain levels, or even require corrective surgery. The physical consequences are often compounded by emotional distress, frustration, and loss of confidence in the rehabilitation process.
People harmed by incompetent medical care, including errors that occur in the context of physical therapy, have the right to seek compensation for their losses via medical malpractice claims. To establish liability for physical therapy malpractice, a plaintiff will most likely need to prove the defendant’s negligence. In Maryland, negligence is made up of four components: duty, breach, causation, and damages. The duty element arises from the treatment relationship and requires that the defendant provide care that aligns with what a reasonably competent provider would do under similar circumstances. This duty includes assessing a patient’s limitations, crafting a safe treatment plan, and adjusting therapy based on clinical responses.
A breach occurs when the defendant fails to meet this duty. Examples may include instructing a patient to perform unsafe exercises, administering treatment to the wrong area of the body, or ignoring complaints of increased pain. It is not enough to merely establish a breach; however, a plaintiff must also show that the breach caused them to suffer damages or actual harm. In cases of physical therapy malpractice, this often requires expert testimony to explain how the breach directly contributed to a setback, re-injury, or new physical limitation.
Under Maryland law, a plaintiff who proves a defendant’s negligence may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical bills for additional treatment, lost wages, and future rehabilitative care. Non-economic damages may involve compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
Injuries caused by negligent physical therapy can derail recovery and inflict long-term harm. If you sustained losses due to physical therapy malpractice, you may be owed damages, and you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, our skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys dedicate their practice to advocating for victims of medical errors, and if you hire us, we can help you seek the compensation you need to heal and move forward. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we represent clients throughout the city and neighboring communities. You can contact us at 410-889-1850 or reach out to us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.