The relationship between therapist and patient demands trust and openness. When a therapist violates that trust by abusing a patient, there can be life-altering consequences. If you or someone you care about has experienced abuse at the hands of a therapist, know that you are not alone and have options to regain justice.
At White Law PLLC, we understand the complexities of cases like yours. Working with a Grand Rapids therapist sexual abuse lawyer can help you through the legal process and fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today, and a Grand Rapids sexual abuse lawyer will ensure that you get answers to any questions you have.
Understanding Therapist Abuse Claims in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Financial compensation does not even begin to repay the damage done by therapist abuse. But you deserve to pursue justice against your abuser, and a settlement can help support you through this stage of your life as you begin to rebuild your emotional, physical, and psychological health. At White Law PLLC, Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer are dedicated to getting the most from your claim and maximizing the penalties against the defendant.
Therapist abuse can be subtle, and it can take on many different forms. Emotional manipulation, sexual abuse, verbal attacks, and even physical harm can enter into the damage done by therapist abuse. It is crucial that you prioritize your safety when ending an abusive relationship with your therapist.
Patients have the right to be treated with respect and are allowed to pursue civic action against abusive therapists under Chapter Seven of Michigan’s Mental Health Code. As a part of establishing the facts of a case, abusive mental health professionals must be reported to local law enforcement, which will cause an investigation into and create documentation regarding the abuse. A therapist abuse attorney in Grand Rapids can help you determine the appropriate steps and documentation you will need to establish your case.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How a Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Grand Rapids Can Help
Contacting a Grand Rapids therapist abuse attorney is the first step in regaining your life. They can guide you through legal options, including filing a complaint with licensing boards and associations, filing a civil lawsuit for financial compensation, and reporting abuse to law enforcement in cases of sexual abuse or other criminal actions. You do not have to go through this alone.
Our team will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve. White Law PLLC has more than 60 years of combined legal experience and dedicated advocacy for survivors.
We will also pursue all parties that could be held accountable, including the therapy practice, hospital, mental health facility, and any licensing boards or associations. We conduct extensive investigations to find further evidence to support your claims and establish guilt. We investigate and attempt to uncover any evidence your abuser may have hidden and interview other witnesses if possible.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
Common Types of Therapist Abuse in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Therapist abuse happens when someone crosses the boundaries of a proper patient and professional relationship. A therapist is a trusted counselor and medical professional who needs to maintain an appropriate distance from their patient’s personal lives. Often, these boundaries are crossed in ways that are:
- Emotional – crossing boundaries that change a professional relationship into a personal one, isolating the patient from supportive friends and family, and encouraging communications outside of the time limits of a therapy session
- Psychological – such as manipulating memories, gaslighting, and deliberately misleading the patient
- Sexual – including any sexual innuendos, actions, or requests that violate the trust of their patient-professional relationship
- Verbal – including yelling, using threats and demeaning language, insulting, and expressing anger or hostility
- Physical – any unwanted contact, including actions that harm the patient
If you see signs of therapist abuse in your sessions or with someone you love, contact our offices to discuss the best way to get out of that relationship. Retaliation and other harmful actions can be possible when leaving an abusive relationship. Your Grand Rapids therapist abuse attorney will help you determine the best way to protect yourself now and in the future so you can begin taking steps toward healing.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Victims of Therapist Abuse Deserve Compensation
While money will never make up for what has happened, your abuser can be held accountable by filing for a settlement or pursuing legal action. Compensation is just a way for the law to attempt to repay the harm that has been done and help support survivors financially as they recover. You can file for compensation for any losses that you have sustained as a direct result of the abuse, including:
- Counseling expenses
- Damage to reputation
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Physical Injuries
- Post-traumatic stress
A Grand Rapids therapist sexual abuse lawyer can be your trusted advocate throughout the legal process, working to secure justice on your behalf. Our legal team will also be here to answer any of your questions and address any concerns you may have throughout the process. It is important that you feel empowered and informed every step of the way.
Punitive Damages in Michigan Therapist Abuse Cases
In extreme cases, a court may decide to award punitive damages. These are additional compensatory awards given not to repay the survivor but to punish the defendant. A court may grant these types of damages under the Michigan legislature if the abuse is considered deliberately harmful or grossly negligent.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Get Support from a Therapist Abuse Attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan Today
If you or someone you love has experienced abuse from a therapist, you are not alone. Our firm understands the profound impact such trauma can have on survivors. We have a proven track record of holding perpetrators accountable, as demonstrated in our work on high-profile cases like the Larry Nassar settlement.
At White Law PLLC, we are dedicated to helping survivors find justice and get a chance to heal. Our Grand Rapids therapist sexual abuse lawyer will provide a safe space to discuss your situation and explore your legal options. Schedule a free, confidential consultation by filling out our contact form or calling our office.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
