Patients Injured by Chiropractors

Neck and back problems can be hard to diagnose. Often, patients visit their doctors repeatedly for years and are never able to pinpoint the exact reason for neck and back pain. Chiropractic care has been used for centuries and generally thought to be safe. This isn’t to say it is without naysayers. There are many respectable detractors who claim this form of therapy is nothing more than voodoo. Others claim chiropractic maneuvers have been scientifically linked to blood clots, stroke and other neurovascular complications.

While the threat of injury is real, so is back pain and it is often unbearable. So much so, many patients take the health risks and seek the help of a chiropractor. Legal professionals agree all patients should be aware of the exact risks and their rights should injury occur at the hands of the chiropractor before making a decision to proceed with care.

Chiropractic manipulations that result in blood clots, stroke or other neurovascular complication or injury may have been caused by the chiropractor’s negligence. The techniques could have been provided incorrectly or without proper safety procedures to prevent injury. Chiropractic doctors are required to adhere to the same strict level of competence as other medical doctors. They are also required to carry medical malpractice insurance.

Chiropractic care can also cause pain, inflammation and discomfort along the spine. Chiropractors place their hands and fingers along the spine and apply pressure. Patients often hear popping or clicking sounds as joints are pushed beyond their normal frame of motion. If too much pressure is applied problems can arise. The Mayo Clinic, and other leading healthcare officials, have stated that chiropractic medicine is safe and may be as effective as other treatments but there is no clear evidence that it conclusively works. Medical professionals agree that, even for patients who seek no treatment, lower back pain usually clears itself up in a few weeks.

Chiropractic care has other issues to face that causes patient misgivings as well. For instance, it isn’t accepted by many insurance plans. Since chiropractors usually suggest several repeat visits, the bills can get extremely high. Also, many patients simply are not good candidates for chiropractic medicine. People suffering from gout, osteoporosis, bone cancer, or fractures of the bone or joints risk further damage going forward with spinal manipulation.

The key to filing a medical malpractice case against a chiropractor is in the negligence. You must believe and be able to prove the care you received from your chiropractor was below what can reasonably be expected from a professional with the same level of education and training. You must also show how the chiropractic care resulted in the injury.  This can be done using expert testimony, as well as conclusive study results.

Chiropractic injuries are difficult to prove. In order to get a fair settlement, most injured patients must contact a medical malpractice attorney to aid in their legal proceedings. Pain and suffering from these injuries is real. Patients must seek their entitled remuneration.