Many people suffer from muscular aches and spasms, particularly in their lower backs. Some people swear by their chiropractors to help fix these types of muscular problems. Chiropractors regularly treat people suffering from both chronic and acute muscular pain. However, when chiropractors fail to adhere to the established and accepted standards of care, patients can suffer serious health consequences.
If you believe your chiropractor’s negligence led to you becoming seriously hurt, do not hesitate to speak with a medical malpractice attorney about your options. A skilled Shelton chiropractor malpractice lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna can help you pursue justice and seek out the payments you need and deserve.
Medical malpractice claims involving chiropractors are similar to traditional medical malpractice lawsuits. Courts hold chiropractors to the same standard as other chiropractors in the same geographical area with the same level of training. For example, a chiropractor would not be held to the same standard as a physician. Instead, they would be held to the same standard as other reasonable chiropractors in the area.
To prevail in a claim against a chiropractor, an injured patient would need to show that their chiropractor was unreasonably negligent and that the negligence caused the patient to sustain harm. This is where an attorney’s guidance is critical. A Shelton chiropractic negligence attorney can work to establish the provider’s fault and guide an injured patient through the legal process.
Chiropractors make all kinds of mistakes, but not every medical error is indicative of malpractice. Types of errors that might be legally actionable include careless manipulation during an adjustment, misdiagnosis, and failure to obtain consent.
Chiropractors receive training on how to successfully make adjustments to a patient’s body. They learn how much pressure to use. When they are negligent or careless in their spinal manipulations, they can exacerbate the patient’s problems. For instance, a patient who walks in for an adjustment to treat their lower back pain could leave with such severe back pain that they are unable to walk.
Patients can also suffer new medical problems, such as herniated discs, nerve damage, broken ribs, and neurological damage. Careless manipulation of a pregnant patient’s body can also lead to premature labor. A patient can even suffer a stroke if a chiropractor makes a mistake in manipulating their neck by blocking an artery to their brain.
Although chiropractors are not physicians, they should be able to recognize common medical conditions. While they cannot treat all these conditions, they should promptly refer their patients to the appropriate medical professionals for evaluation and treatment.
Chiropractors who tell their patients that they need unnecessary services can be liable for resulting injuries. Failing to obtain the proper informed consent is an example of malpractice.
Determining whether a chiropractic mistake amounts to malpractice is not easy, which is why working with a trusted legal professional is critical. The Shelton lawyers at Berkowitz Hanna have successfully worked with chiropractic patients suffering from a wide range of injuries. We understand the law and can help decipher complex medical jargon.
Just like other medical professionals, chiropractors owe their patients a duty of care. Chiropractors can be held legally responsible when they make careless mistakes that result in injuries to their patients.
If you believe a chiropractor caused you to suffer an injury or caused an existing condition to worsen, contact us. Our Shelton chiropractor malpractice lawyers have experience handling cases like yours and a track record of success. We fight hard for what you deserve and do not back down from aggressive defendants and their insurance companies. Contact our office today to set up your free initial consultation with a dedicated member of our team.
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