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Medical Malpractice

Injured by a Chiropractor?

December 18, 2020

Chiropractic treatments involving the head, neck, and spine can result in pinched nerves and a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Dangers of Chiropractic Manipulation

Going to a chiropractor is a common practice for many people with injuries. Chiropractic treatments are used to align the spine and treat neuromuscular disorders, joint problems, and muscle injuries. Chiropractic medicine is used to relieve aches and pains, increase blood flow, and improve health conditions without invasive surgery, but sometimes things go dangerously wrong.

Chiropractic manipulation can result in numerous injuries to different parts of the body. Common injuries seen by Illinois medical malpractice attorneys include:

  • Headaches and dizziness
  • Numbness or tingling in the limbs
  • Muscle weakness
  • Pinched arteries and nerves
  • Disc herniation
  • Facial paralysis

When chiropractic manipulation involves the head, neck, or spine, injuries can result in serious damage to the brain and spinal cord. Vertebral artery dissection can occur during chiropractic cervical head and neck manipulation. It can cause a tear in the vertebral artery, slow blood flow to the brain, and increase the risk of strokes. Manipulation of the spine can result in spinal injuries and permanent paralysis.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Many chiropractic injuries result from a chiropractor’s negligent actions like performing unnecessary manipulations, failing to properly evaluate a patient’s symptoms, and failing to inform a patient of risks. When performing cervical neck manipulation, negligence can lead to paralysis, permanent disabilities, even death.

Chiropractic patients are often unaware of vertebral artery dissection injury risks from cervical neck manipulation. Vertebral artery dissection can cause a debilitating stroke, as well as traumatic brain damage with life-altering consequences.

If chiropractic injuries are caused by a chiropractor’s negligent or reckless actions, the injury victim can file a medical malpractice lawsuit with an Illinois medical malpractice attorney to recover damages. A successful lawsuit can result in compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation and therapy, lost wages, disabilities, and pain and suffering. An Illinois medical malpractice attorney can gather evidence to show the necessary proof of negligence required by the court to win a lawsuit.

When filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Illinois, it must be filed in court within the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the injury or two years from the realization of the injury by the victim. If the lawsuit is filed after the statute of limitations expires, the court will likely refuse to hear the lawsuit.

About The Author

Photo of Jeffrey  Goldberg
Attorney Jeffrey M. Goldberg has spent his entire professional career handling cases involving birth injury, medical malpractice, product liability and related accidents.