Psychiatric Malpractice

When you or a loved one seek the help of a psychiatric professional, they are entrusted with your mental well-being and are expected to help you deal with or recover from your trauma. Medical professionals have a duty to their patients to bring no harm physically, mentally, or emotionally. There is never a time place or circumstance where a psychiatrist has the right to treat you without respect or care. Unfortunately, in some instances, you may find yourself the victim of a psychiatrist’s neglect or, worse yet, abuse.

Psychiatric malpractice, a type of medical malpractice, consists of a variety of concerns. 

  • Failure to obtain information
  • Abusing knowledge or power
  • Threatening the patient
  • Sharing information without consent
  • Failure to appropriately diagnose
  • Failure to treat
  • Negligent use of psycho-pharmacologic agents or psychotherapy
  • Negligent failure to prevent patients from harming themselves or others
  • Failure to assess the risk of suicide or violent behavior in a psychiatric patient
  • Sexual misconduct
  • Failure to obtain informed consent
  • Violations of civil rights; false imprisonment/restraints and seclusion
  • Breach of confidentiality
  • Abandonment
  • Negligence in supervision

Many times, cases of psychiatric medical malpractice are not reported as the patients are already emotionally suspect or uninformed/uncertain of their condition. This can cause irreparable damage as the patient/doctor relationship is vital to the patient’s progress. Violations of trust are traumatic and can impact a patient’s care for the rest of their lives. Taking advantage of the doctor/patient relationship is a violation of the worst kind, breaking the bonds of emotional and physical well-being. 

Victims may be told that their complaints are just side effects, especially paranoia, from their psychiatric condition. Even family members may be critical when the patient reports abuse as they may very well have been warned by the psychiatrist about the instability of the patient.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to psychiatric malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The lawyers at Sweeney Law Firm specialize in medical malpractice law and will fight for you or your loved one if you have been the victim of psychiatric neglect or abuse. There is no cost or obligation for us to evaluate your case. The Sweeney Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. There is never a fee unless a recovery is made for you.