Chiropractic Malpractice

With the increased interest in holistic health care and wellness care, millions of people seek chiropractic treatment for a variety of problems each year. Chiropractors who follow their training are capable of providing an excellent and much needed level of professional service and care. Many people who visit chiropractors need chiropractic treatment for the maintenance of their injuries so that they can function day to day without debilitating pain. However, in some cases, chiropractors provide a service which falls short of the desired standard of care. Under these circumstances, chiropractors may be held responsible for malpractice in the same way as other types of medical specialists.

Chiropractic medicine has traditionally taken a more holistic approach to treating patients suffering from conditions such as neck and back pain, headaches, and arm and leg pain. When patients go in for a neck adjustment or cervical manipulation, the intent is to realign certain components within the skeletal-muscle system to release the blockage of tension and energy that can lead to pain. In certain cases, however, a chiropractor may improperly treat a patient with damaging manipulations or may fail to identify an underlying physiological cause for the patient's pain and discomfort.

Chiropractor malpractice occurs when a chiropractor fails to follow the accepted standard of care for his profession, resulting in injuries to the patient. There are three main types of Chiropractic malpractice:

(1) Failure to diagnose conditions that require timely medical attention.
(2) Damage from manipulation of body parts that may have been weakened by disease or previous trauma.
(3) Lack of informed consent.

Some of the risks associated with chiropractic care include stroke, herniated disc, and broken ribs. Though the risks are small, as with other physician treatment methods, patients have a right to be informed of any risks prior to undergoing treatment. The pursuit of a chiropractic malpractice case, like any malpractice case, should only be undertaken after careful consideration and a consultation with a qualified malpractice attorney.