Expert Legal Support for Victims of Therapist Abuse in San Diego, CA
If you need legal assistance, contact a trusted San Diego therapist abuse attorney today. Your consultation is confidential, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless we win your case.
At Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP, we understand the personal and emotional toll these cases take. Led by partner attorney John D. Winer, our team has decades of experience helping victims of therapist misconduct. Winer is well-versed in understanding the unique power dynamics in the therapist-client relationship, particularly the transference phenomenon, where clients may become especially vulnerable to abuse. Our firm has achieved substantial compensation for clients who suffered psychological injuries due to therapist misconduct.
Common Forms of Therapist Misconduct
Therapists hold positions of authority and trust, and clients often come to them in vulnerable states. Unfortunately, this power dynamic can be exploited in several harmful ways:
- Sexual misconduct: Engaging in inappropriate relationships with clients
- Drug misuse: Improperly prescribing or using substances with clients
- Financial abuse: Taking advantage of clients financially
- Physical abuse: Though rare, some therapists may physically harm their clients
If you’ve experienced any of these violations, it’s important to consult with a San Diego therapist abuse attorney to understand your legal rights and determine if you have a case.
Compensation for Victims of Therapist Abuse
When a therapist betrays the trust placed in them, the damage can be profound and long-lasting. Victims often experience emotional trauma, financial losses, and in some cases, physical harm. Our San Diego therapist abuse attorneys can help you pursue compensation for various damages, including:
- Emotional distress: Compensation for pain and suffering
- Medical expenses: Reimbursement for therapy and medical costs
- Lost wages: Compensation for lost income due to the emotional toll
- Punitive damages: Additional compensation for particularly egregious misconduct
California law requires victims to act quickly, as the statute of limitations typically allows only one year after the abusive relationship ends to file a claim. If the therapist works for a public institution, the filing period may be even shorter, sometimes as little as six months.
Determining If You Have a Case
Therapists, including psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and counselors, are held to high standards of care. California law specifically prohibits therapists from engaging in any sexual relationship with their clients, regardless of whether it appears consensual. This prohibition extends for two years after the professional relationship has ended, though any such behavior is usually unethical beyond that timeframe.
Some clear warning signs that your therapist may have crossed professional boundaries include:
- Engaging in inappropriate physical contact
- Contacting you outside of therapy sessions for personal reasons
- Sharing personal and intimate details about their own life
- Forming a business or social relationship beyond therapy
These actions violate the professional boundaries, known as the therapeutic container, that therapists must maintain. If you believe these lines have been crossed, it’s crucial to consult a San Diego therapist abuse attorney to discuss your legal options.
How We Approach Therapist Abuse Cases
Handling therapist abuse cases requires not only legal expertise but also a deep understanding of psychological dynamics. At Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP, we use a combination of expert testimony and advanced legal strategies to prove misconduct and demonstrate its impact on the victim. Our approach considers:
- The strength and credibility of the client’s testimony
- Psychological concepts such as transference and power imbalances
- Statutory deadlines and limitations
- The therapist’s insurance coverage
We have a long history of success in securing substantial settlements for our clients, including:
- $7,130,000 – A case involving prescription drug errors leading to brain damage
- $2,000,000 – A woman sexually abused by a psychologist at a treatment facility
- $1,423,000 – Compensation for a woman who was physically and sexually abused by her therapist
- $900,000 – A woman sexually abused by her therapist and assaulted by the therapist’s spouse
- $750,000 – A transgender client who sued a therapist for negligence and abuse
- $700,000 – A woman in her 40s who was sexually abused by her psychotherapist
Contact a San Diego Therapist Abuse Attorney Today
If you or someone you know has been a victim of therapist abuse, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. Our San Diego therapist abuse attorneys at Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP, are ready to provide compassionate, confidential support. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you begin the journey toward healing and justice.