A 92-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against a physical therapy clinic and its employees, alleging severe negligence that led to a significant and permanent injury. Nancy Erlick filed the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on August 23, 2024, naming Gold Coast Physical Therapy Associates, LLC d/b/a Fyzical Therapy; Fyzical, LLC; Paul Young, DPT; and Son P. Louis, PTA as defendants.
According to the court documents, Erlick began her treatment at Gold Coast Physical Therapy Associates on October 18, 2021. She was referred by her primary care provider for physical therapy to improve her balance. At that time, she was diagnosed with lower extremity weakness and osteoporosis. Dr. Paul Young initially designed her treatment plan which included various therapeutic exercises. However, the execution of these exercises was managed by physical therapy assistants under Dr. Young's supervision.
The complaint details how Erlick's exercise regimen was progressively intensified without proper consideration of her condition or complaints of pain. On February 7, 2022, Dr. Young increased the weight on leg press exercises from 70 lbs to 85 lbs. This weight was further increased multiple times over several months by different staff members until it reached 145 lbs by July 27, 2022.
Despite Erlick’s complaints of hip soreness beginning April 13, 2023, the leg press exercises continued with heavy weights. The complaint states that on May 27, 2023, Erlick sought treatment from another provider due to severe left hip pain which radiated down her leg. An MRI confirmed a subchondral fracture in her left hip.
Erlick alleges that the negligence of Gold Coast Physical Therapy Associates and its employees resulted in significant injuries including a hip fracture and exacerbation of osteoarthritis which now require ongoing treatment and assistance for daily activities. She is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 along with compensatory damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life among other reliefs deemed appropriate by the court.
The attorneys representing Nancy Erlick are Elizabeth L. Parker from George Feldman McDonald PLLC and Hector Buigas from Morgan & Morgan P.A.
The Case Number is: 502024CA008046XXXAMB Div: AO.