When you entrust your recovery to a rehabilitation or physical therapy facility, you expect professional care that helps you heal—not negligence that causes further injury. However, when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, patients may suffer significant harm. If you sustained injuries due to improper treatment, misdiagnosis, or unsafe rehabilitation practices, a Schenectady rehabilitation and physical therapy malpractice lawyer could help you pursue justice.
At John Fisher – New York Injury & Malpractice Law Firm, we concentrate exclusively on medical malpractice and understand the complexities of rehabilitation errors. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys’ goal is to help you pursue accountability while ensuring that you or a loved one receives clear explanations and grounded guidance. We protect your rights and support your efforts to move forward.
Common Forms of Negligence in Rehabilitation Settings
Rehabilitation and physical therapy facilities must follow clearly defined standards when evaluating a patient’s condition and designing a treatment plan. Errors occur when providers fail to assess fall risks, overlook significant symptoms, or push a patient beyond medically appropriate limits. These failures may cause additional injuries or worsen an existing condition. You and your family should know that New York law, as established by cases such as Perrone v. Grover, 272 AD2d 312 [2d Dept 2000], requires providers to meet professional standards, and deviations from those standards may support a medical malpractice claim.
Other forms of negligence arise when therapists fail to monitor exercises, neglect to document changes in a patient’s condition, or use equipment that is unsafe or improperly fitted. These oversights can contribute to:
- Falls
- Nerve damage
- Fractures
- Long-term loss of function
In these situations, guidance from an attorney with experience in physical therapy and rehabilitation medical malpractice cases in Schenectady could help you determine whether the provider’s conduct met required standards and how to move forward.
How Do You Prove Liability in Physical Therapy Malpractice Cases?
Medical malpractice claims require clear evidence that a provider acted outside accepted standards and that this conduct caused harm. Proving liability often involves reviewing:
- Treatment notes
- Therapy plans
- Incident reports
- Imaging studies
Expert testimony is often necessary to explain where medical providers failed to meet professional standards. The state’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice, outlined in New York Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 214-a, establishes strict timelines for filing a claim, and failing to meet these deadlines can prevent financial recovery. Building a thorough record early is essential for a strong case.
It is equally important to determine whether the facility had adequate staffing, safe equipment, and proper emergency procedures at the time medical professionals provided care. If a therapist disregarded important symptoms, failed to follow a physician’s orders, or used unsafe techniques, these facts may show a deviation from accepted standards. When these issues arise, speaking with a malpractice lawyer who handles matters involving rehabilitative care and physiotherapy in Schenectady could help you thoroughly evaluate the facts and protect your rights.
Contact Us Today to Consult with an Attorney About Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medical Malpractice in Schenectady
When rehabilitation or physical therapy causes harm, the impact can be significant for you or a loved one. A Schenectady rehabilitation and physical therapy malpractice lawyer could help you understand your options, gather evidence, and pursue the accountability necessary to protect your rights. Our firm provides careful, individualized guidance to every client.
At John Fisher – New York Injury & Malpractice Law Firm, we focus solely on medical malpractice and understand the challenges that arise after sustaining injuries in rehabilitative settings. We could answer your questions, explain each step of the process, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to learn how we could support you and protect your rights moving forward.