Chiropractic care is a popular choice for addressing pain and improving mobility, with many patients trusting their chiropractors to deliver safe and effective treatment. While most appointments proceed without issue, injuries can occur when proper care is not provided. These injuries can range from mild discomfort to life-altering complications, leaving patients to grapple with pain, uncertainty, and the need for answers.
If you’ve been injured during a chiropractic visit, understanding the potential causes and your legal options is essential. Below, our medical malpractice attorneys with The Law Office of Paul Previte explore common injuries sustained during chiropractic treatment and outline the steps you can take to seek justice and compensation. By staying informed, you can make empowered decisions to protect your health and your rights.
Common Injuries Caused by Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic care is intended to relieve pain and enhance mobility, but improper techniques or negligence can lead to significant harm. Below are some of the most common injuries associated with chiropractic treatment:
Nerve Damage
Excessive force or improper adjustments can pinch or damage nerves, leading to sharp pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. These symptoms may develop immediately or worsen over time, depending on the type and severity of the injury.
Stroke (Cervical Artery Dissection)
Forceful neck manipulations can damage the arteries in the neck, causing a cervical artery dissection. This serious condition disrupts blood flow to the brain and may lead to a stroke. Symptoms to watch for include dizziness, severe headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty speaking.
Herniated Discs
Incorrect spinal adjustments can cause or worsen herniated discs, which occur when the cushioning between vertebrae is damaged. Symptoms often include intense back pain, limited mobility, or sciatica, making daily tasks difficult.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Aggressive adjustments may strain or sprain muscles, ligaments, or tendons, resulting in soft tissue injuries. While these injuries might seem minor at first, they can lead to chronic pain or limited mobility if not addressed.
Rib Fractures
Older patients or those with fragile bones are particularly vulnerable to rib fractures during certain adjustments. These injuries can cause sharp chest pain, difficulty breathing, or prolonged discomfort.
Understanding these potential injuries can help patients recognize when chiropractic treatment may have caused harm. If you experience any of these issues after an adjustment, it’s essential to seek medical attention and explore your legal options.
Factors That Can Lead to Chiropractic Injuries
Chiropractic injuries often result from preventable mistakes or lapses in care. Below are the most common factors:
- Disregarding patient concerns – Proceeding with treatment despite complaints of discomfort or pain demonstrates a lack of professional care.
- Failure to review patient history – Neglecting a patient’s medical history can lead to treatments that exacerbate underlying conditions like osteoporosis or vascular issues.
- Improper techniques – Using excessive force, incorrect positioning, or aggressive adjustments can result in nerve damage, fractures, or other severe injuries.
- Lack of training or certification – Chiropractors who fail to maintain qualifications or apply outdated techniques may increase the risk of harm.
Get Help From a Top-Rated Personal Injury Attorney Today
A chiropractic injury can leave you in overwhelming pain, spiraling depression, and searching for answers. Whether you’re facing severe nerve damage, a herniated disc, or another life-altering complication, you deserve experienced legal support. At The Law Office of Paul Previte, our chiropractic malpractice lawyers are dedicated to helping injured clients pursue justice and secure the compensation they need to move forward.
Contact our office for a free consultation by phone or through our convenient contact form to start working on your malpractice insurance and civil claims as soon as today.
