You Trusted a Chiropractor—and Got Hurt. Now What?

Chiropractic care is a popular form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, primarily those involving the spine. 

While many patients find relief through spinal manipulation and other chiropractic techniques, the unfortunate reality is that when a chiropractor fails to meet the standard of care, the consequences can be devastating.

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand how traumatic and life-altering chiropractor malpractice can be. If you or a loved one suffered an injury during or after receiving chiropractic treatment, you may be entitled to compensation, and we’re here to help you pursue justice.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Is Chiropractor Malpractice?

Chiropractor malpractice occurs when a chiropractic care provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, causing injury or harm to a patient. Just like doctors and surgeons, chiropractors are legally obligated to treat their patients with a level of skill, diligence, and caution that a reasonably competent professional would provide in the same circumstances.

When a chiropractor fails to uphold that standard, whether through a misdiagnosis, improper spinal manipulation, or failure to refer to a medical specialist, they may be liable for any resulting injuries.

Common Types of Chiropractic Malpractice

While each malpractice case is unique, some types of errors are more common in chiropractic care than others. Here are several scenarios where malpractice may occur:

Improper Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractic adjustments, particularly of the neck and spine, must be performed with extreme care. If a chiropractor applies too much force, uses incorrect technique, or manipulates a region unnecessarily, the result can be severe injuries such as:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Nerve damage
• Vertebral artery dissection
• Stroke
  
   

Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnosis

Chiropractors must assess whether a patient’s symptoms are suitable for chiropractic treatment. If the patient has an underlying medical condition, like a spinal tumor, fracture, or severe disc disease, that goes undiagnosed, treatment could worsen the issue or delay necessary medical care.

Delayed Referral to Medical Specialists

Chiropractors are not licensed to treat all conditions. If a patient presents symptoms that require medical evaluation, the chiropractor has a duty to refer them to the appropriate healthcare provider. Failing to do so can allow a serious condition to progress unchecked.

Failure to Obtain Informed Consent

Before any procedure, a chiropractor must inform the patient about the risks involved. If a patient is not made aware of potential complications, such as the rare but serious risk of stroke following cervical manipulation, they cannot give proper informed consent. This can be grounds for a malpractice claim.

Negligent Recordkeeping

Accurate documentation is essential in all healthcare settings. Inadequate or incorrect records can result in improper treatment plans, repeated injuries, or weakened legal defenses for patients injured due to poor care.

Examples of Injuries From Chiropractic Malpractice

The injuries sustained due to chiropractic negligence can range from minor to catastrophic. In some cases, patients may never fully recover. Common injuries include:

• Stroke: Cervical spine manipulation can, in rare cases, cause a tear in the vertebral artery, leading to a stroke. Young, otherwise healthy patients have experienced permanent disability or death due to this complication.
• Nerve Damage: Aggressive or improper manipulation can compress or sever nerves, causing chronic pain, numbness, or even paralysis.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord may result in partial or total loss of mobility and sensation.
• Fractures: Patients with osteoporosis or weakened bones may suffer fractured vertebrae during treatment.
• Worsening of Existing Conditions: If a chiropractor fails to properly diagnose a condition or applies treatment that exacerbates a pre-existing injury, the patient may suffer prolonged recovery or permanent damage.
   

Can You Sue a Chiropractor for Malpractice?

Yes. Chiropractors are held to professional standards of care, just like any other healthcare provider. If a chiropractor’s negligence directly caused you harm, you may have grounds to file a malpractice lawsuit. To succeed in a chiropractor malpractice case, you typically need to prove the following:

1. Duty of Care: The chiropractor had a professional relationship with you and owed you a duty to provide competent care.
2. Breach of Duty: The chiropractor failed to meet the standard of care expected of their profession.
3. Causation: This breach directly caused your injury or worsened your condition.
4. Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as physical injury, medical expenses, loss of income, or emotional distress.
   
    

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In a chiropractor malpractice case, liability may not rest solely with the individual practitioner. Depending on the facts of the case, other parties may also be held accountable, including:

• The chiropractic clinic or business
• Chiropractors practicing under a corporate entity
• Supervising staff (in training environments)
• Chiropractors practicing outside their licensed scope
  
   

Damages You May Be Entitled To

If you’ve been injured due to chiropractic negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for a variety of losses, including:

• Medical Expenses: Past and future treatment costs related to the injury
• Lost Wages: Income lost due to time off work or inability to return to your previous job
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the injury
• Rehabilitation Costs: Therapy, assistive devices, and in-home care
• Permanent Disability: Compensation for loss of function or long-term impairment
• Wrongful Death: If a loved one died due to chiropractor negligence, surviving family members may seek damages through a wrongful death claim
  
   

What to Do if You Suspect Chiropractic Malpractice

If you believe you’ve been injured due to a chiropractor’s negligence, follow these important steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Your health and safety are the top priority. Get evaluated by a qualified medical professional, especially if you're experiencing symptoms such as numbness, weakness, vision changes, or severe pain.

2. Preserve Documentation

Keep all medical records, imaging reports, chiropractic notes, and billing statements. Take notes about your visits, symptoms, and any conversations you had with your chiropractor.

3. Avoid Signing Anything

Do not sign any release forms or settlement agreements without consulting a lawyer. These documents may limit your ability to recover full compensation.

4. Consult a Chiropractor Malpractice Attorney

Reach out to an experienced attorney at Morgan & Morgan as soon as possible. There are strict statutes of limitations on malpractice claims, and time is critical in preserving evidence and witness testimony.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Chiropractic malpractice claims can be complex and challenging. Unlike traditional medical malpractice cases, which often involve hospital systems and standard protocols, chiropractic care has fewer regulations and can vary widely between practitioners. That’s why it’s crucial to have an experienced legal team on your side.

At Morgan & Morgan, our malpractice attorneys work with top medical experts and investigators to build strong cases. We are not afraid to take on difficult or unusual cases, and we never settle for less than our clients deserve.

And the best part? We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case.

With over 35 years of experience and more than $25 billion recovered for our clients, Morgan & Morgan is one of the nation’s most trusted law firms. We have the resources, reach, and reputation to take on complex chiropractic malpractice cases and win.

We believe everyone deserves access to justice, no matter how big or small their case may seem. If a chiropractor’s care left you injured, contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.