Reporting massage therapist misconduct is an essential step in demanding justice, protecting others from experiencing similar harm, and seeking compensation for what happened. It takes courage to come forward after sexual abuse, and an experienced sexual assault lawyer can honor this courage by helping you seek the accountability you deserve.
What Constitutes Massage Therapist Misconduct?
One of the most common types of massage therapist misconduct is sexual abuse. In the context of massage therapy, sexual abuse can include things like inappropriate comments about your body or unwanted touching and sexual advances.
In Florida, massage therapists must adhere to strict rules set forth by the Board of Massage Therapy. The state also has various laws on the books that regulate how massage therapists can operate in the state and provide protections for patients, including a statute specifically about sexual misconduct in the practice of massage therapy.
If you experience massage therapist misconduct, it’s important to remember that you’re not to blame and that you have legal protections, such as the right to seek compensation for what happened. Massage therapists who break the law or fail to uphold their professional standards can face the loss of their massage therapist license, civil liability, and even criminal penalties.
How to Report a Massage Therapist for Misconduct in Florida
Documenting the incident is the first step in reporting a massage therapist for misconduct. This involves writing down everything you remember about the incident, including the date, time, massage therapist’s name, and what happened. Keep any proof you may have of your appointment, such as an email or text confirmation.
Next, you can file a complaint through the Florida Health Medical Quality Assurance website. You can search for the massage therapist in question by their license number or name and location. Once you’ve found them in the system, you can provide details of the incident and send your confidential report, which should be investigated by the Florida Department of Health.
Filing a Police Report for Sexual Assault
As the survivor of a sexual assault committed by a massage therapist, you can also file a police report about what happened. Sexual assault is a serious offense, and the massage therapist could face criminal penalties if convicted. When filing the report, you should provide the police with any evidence you have, as this could aid in their investigations.
Seeking Compensation After Massage Therapist Misconduct
Survivors of massage therapist misconduct can seek compensation for their physical and psychological injuries through personal injury lawsuits. These lawsuits could be against the specific massage therapist whose misconduct harmed you or the company that employed the massage therapist if it didn’t take steps to make sure patients were safe. For example, a massage therapy company might be liable for negligently hiring someone without the necessary license or someone who has a history of allegations against them.
In your personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for many financial and personal losses, including:
- Medical Expenses – You can seek compensation for your past and future medical expenses related to the incident, including medical treatments and therapy for psychological harm.
- Lost Wages – If your physical or psychological injuries impact your ability to work, you can seek compensation for your lost wages or loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering – You can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience because of the incident.
Contact Our Sexual Assault Attorneys
If you have experienced massage therapist misconduct in Florida, contact Lehrman Law for a consultation with one of our experienced sexual assault attorneys. We can review your case, help you file the necessary reports, explain your legal options for seeking compensation, and pursue accountability on your behalf.