Charleston Chiropractic Malpractice Lawyer

Although considered by some as an alternative form of medicine, millions of Americans go to a chiropractor for treatment each year when back pain or other musculoskeletal concerns find no answers elsewhere. While chiropractic treatment is generally safe in the hands of properly trained, skilled professionals, the nature of the field does not readily lend itself to accurate diagnosis of non-chiropractic conditions.

Because chiropractic philosophy is in part built on the notion that a variety of ailments are actually the result of spinal issues, chiropractors may be reluctant to provide appropriate referrals for necessary non-chiropractic evaluation.

As with other forms of medical malpractice in South Carolina, chiropractic malpractice has taken place when a chiropractor has not taken action that the reasonably prudent health care provider or health care institution would, or vice versa.

From 1990-2003:

• 7,639 malpractice reports were filed against chiropractors in the United States
• Those claims were filed against 5,899 different chiropractors
• Each chiropractor involved incurred 1.29 malpractice reports on average

The Dangers of Chiropractor Malpractice

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of malpractice is pain and suffering caused by treatment rendered, but the greater danger when dealing with chiropractic medicine is the failure to accurately diagnose patients. Some examples of this are:

• A 58-year-old suffering low back and hip pain was x-rayed and diagnosed with “lumbar nerve pressure syndrome.” She had broken her hip, and the failure to observe that forced the woman to receive an artificial hip joint.
• A 38-year-old suffered pain despite three months of chiropractic treatment and when he consulted a second chiropractor was prescribed the same treatment. Eventually he sought a medical doctor who discovered that he had Hodgkin’s disease.
• Perhaps most alarmingly, a 55-year-old with back, chest, and shoulder pain was told that it was “nerve pressure” caused by a spinal subluxation. The man was having a heart attack.

Speak with a Charleston Chiropractor Malpractice Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered due to chiropractor malpractice, contact the Charleston chiropractic malpractice lawyers at the Steinberg Law Firm by calling 843-720-2800.>