As with physicians, patients entrust their health and well-being to therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other mental health professionals. Often those seeking mental health assistance are fragile and vulnerable. Unfortunately, therapists and other mental health professionals can and do make serious errors in judgment. These professional errors may amount to malpractice, causing substantial mental and even physical harm to patients. Examples of negligence that may constitute psychiatric malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis;
• Prescribing the wrong medications or failing to prescribe medications;
• Failing to take an adequate patient history;
• Entering into a “dual relationship” such as a business, social or romantic relationship, with a patient;
• Entering into a sexual relationship with a current or past patient;
• Breaching patient confidentiality;
• Using techniques without proper training;
• Inappropriate or excessive self-disclosure by the mental health professional;
• Failing to refer a patient to another therapist;
• Failing to terminate the therapeutic relationship in an appropriate manner; and
• Failing to prevent harm, such as missing the warning signs of suicide.
  

  If you or a loved one has suffered physical or emotional harm as a result of a mental health practitioner’s negligence, it is crucial to consult with an experienced malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Our skilled trial lawyers can help you secure all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include compensation for pain and suffering, financial loss, emotional distress and past, current and future medical expenses. In some cases, you may be entitled to punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Our dedicated attorneys can also help you deal with your insurance company, as well as the insurer of the other party or parties. The insurance companies have lawyers working hard to minimize their payouts; you need a lawyer who will work just as hard for you.

  At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to helping our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.