Brent Adams & Associates Legal Blog

Man Claims Physical Therapist Injured His Arm

After being referred to Christus St. Michael Rehabilitation Hospital for physical therapy for fractured ribs, James Marshall claims he suffered an additional personal injury to his right shoulder due to the excessive and forcible manipulation of his arm by the physical therapist.

According to the suit Marshall filed on January 4 in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas, the manipulation failed to conform to the accepted standard of physical therapy. He also alleges that the hospital failed in its duty to treat him without causing further injury.

Marshall claims medical negligence in the suit he filed against Christus Health Ark-La-Tex, doing business as Christus St. Michael Rehabilitation Hospital.

According to Marshall, on May 28, 2009, he was undergoing physical therapy for fractured ribs, and during the treatment, the physical therapist injured his right shoulder during an attempt to manipulate his arm.

Marshall alleges negligence on the part of the hospital through the violation of duty of care by its employees and failure to exercise the degree of care, skill, supervision, and diligence ordinarily possessed and used by other hospitals and physical therapists under the same or similar circumstances.

Marshall seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for past and future pain, suffering, mental anguish, medical care and costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, physical scarring, and disfigurement.