Representing victims of chiropractic stroke, paralysis, and spinal cord injuries

Chiropractic malpractice causes some of the most catastrophic injuries in healthcare: stroke from vertebral artery dissection, permanent paralysis, spinal cord damage, and death. These cases are underreported because patients often don’t realize their chiropractor’s negligence caused their injury. Texas law holds chiropractors to the same malpractice standards as physicians—and allows victims to recover full compensation.

Contact us today for a free consultation — call 817-335-4357 or click here.

Attorney Paul Previte is one of the few personal injury lawyers in the Fort Worth area with hands-on experience litigating chiropractic malpractice cases against major chiropractic franchises operating throughout Texas. He understands the medicine, the standard of care, and the litigation strategy required to hold negligent chiropractors — and the corporations behind them — fully accountable.

What Is Chiropractic Malpractice?

Chiropractic malpractice occurs when a licensed chiropractor deviates from the accepted standard of care, and that deviation causes a patient harm.  Under Texas Law, chiropractors are held to the same legal standards as other healthcare providers under Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Not every bad outcome is malpractice—sometimes treatment fails despite proper care. Malpractice requires proof that the chiropractor provided negligent care that no reasonably competent practitioner would haveprovided under the same circumstances.

Common Forms of Chiropractic Negligence

• Cervical manipulation causing vertebral artery dissection and stroke — High-velocity neck adjustments can tear the vertebral artery, causing blood clots that travel to the brain and cause stroke within hours or days of treatment
• Spinal manipulation causing or worsening herniated discs — Forceful adjustments can rupture disc material into the spinal canal, causing nerve compression, radiculopathy, or cauda equina syndrome
• Central cord syndrome from manipulation of patients with undiagnosed spinal stenosis — Patients with narrowed spinal canals are at high risk for cord compression during cervical adjustments; failure to screen for stenosis before manipulation is negligent
• Failure to take or properly interpret X-rays before beginning treatment
• Performing adjustments on a patient with a known contraindication such as osteoporosis, recent surgery, or vascular disease
• Failure to refer to a medical physician when symptoms required it
• Failure to obtain informed consent — performing procedures the patient did not authorize
• Improper credentialing and supervision at franchise chiropractic clinics

  Franchise Chiropractic Chains and Corporate Liability

  A significant number of chiropractic malpractice cases in Texas now involve large franchise chiropractic operations with locations throughout the state. These corporations exercise control over the clinical practices of their franchisees through training programs, treatment protocols, patient volume quotas, and standardized adjustment techniques. When that corporate control contributes to patient injury, the franchise company itself may be liable — not just the individual chiropractor.

  Attorney Paul Previte has developed and litigated theories of franchisor liability, ostensible agency, and negligent credentialing against corporate chiropractic defendants. This is specialized litigation that requires an attorney who understands both the medical and corporate dimensions of the case.

  Serious Injuries Caused by Chiropractic Negligence

  The most severe chiropractic malpractice cases involve injury to the spine or the vertebral arteries. A forceful cervical adjustment can cause a vertebral artery dissection — a tear in the artery that can lead to stroke, paralysis, or death. Spinal cord injuries, including central cord syndrome, can result from manipulation of patients with undiagnosed spinal instability or stenosis. These are life-altering injuries that deserve serious legal representation.

  ***Vertebral artery dissection is the most dangerous complication of cervical manipulation. The vertebral arteries run through the bones of the neck and are vulnerable to stretching and tearing during rotation and extension movements. A dissection can cause immediate stroke or delayed  stroke hours to days later. Warning signs include sudden severe headache, neck pain, dizziness, vision changes, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of the body. Any patient experiencing these symptoms after chiropractic treatment should seek emergency care immediately.***

  What Damages Are Available?

  Victims of chiropractic negligence may be entitled to recover past and future medical expenses including surgical costs, rehabilitation, and long-term care; lost wages and reduced earning capacity; physical pain and suffering; mental anguish; physical impairment and disfigurement; and in cases of gross negligence, exemplary damages.

  Texas Chiropractic Malpractice Requirements

  Chiropractic malpractice claims in Texas are governed by Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the same statute that applies to physician malpractice. Key requirements include: 

• 60-day pre-suit notice — You must notify the chiropractor in writing at least 60 days before filing suit (Tex. Civ.
  Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.051
• Expert report within 120 days — A qualified expert must provide a written report establishing the standard of care, how it was breached, and how the breach caused injury (Tex. Civ. Prac & Rem. Code § 74.351)
• Two-year statute of limitations — Claims must generally be filed within two years of the injury or discovery of the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.251
• Damage caps on non-economic damages — Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are capped at $250,000 against individual providers and $250,000–$500,000 against healthcare institutions (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.301)

These procedural requirements are strict. Failure to comply can result in dismissal of your case. Contact an attorney immediately after a chiropractic injury. 

Frequently Asked Questions — Chiropractic Malpractice

Q: How do I know if what happened to me was malpractice? 

If you suffered a serious injury — stroke, paralysis, severe nerve damage, or a significant worsening of your condition — during or after chiropractic treatment, you may have a viable claim. The key is whether the chiropractor deviated from the accepted standard of care. We can obtain and review your records and consult with medical experts to evaluate your case at no cost to you.

Q: How long do I have to file a chiropractic malpractice case in Texas? 

Two years from the date of the injury or discovery of the injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 74.251. There is also a pre-suit notice requirement of 60 days. Contact an attorney immediately.

Q: Do I need an expert witness? 

Yes. Texas law requires a medical expert report in malpractice cases within 120 days of filing. Paul Previte works with qualified chiropractic and medical experts to establish the standard of care and document how it was violated in your case.

Q: Are chiropractic franchise chains liable for malpractice by their chiropractors? 

In some cases yes. The franchise company may be held liable under theories of franchisor control, ostensible agency, or negligent credentialing. This is a developing area of Texas law that requires an experienced attorney.

Q: Can I sue a chiropractic franchise like The Joint or 100% Chiropractic?
Yes. When a franchise company controls clinical protocols, training, or patient volume expectations, it may share liability for injuries caused by its franchisees. Paul Previte has developed and litigated theories of franchisor liability, ostensible agency, and negligent credentialing against corporate chiropractic defendants.

Q: What is vertebral artery dissection?
Vertebral artery dissection is a tear in the artery that supplies blood to the brain. It can be caused by forceful cervical manipulation and may result in stroke, permanent brain damage, or death. Symptoms include sudden severe headache, neck pain, dizziness, and neurological changes. This is a medical emergency.

Q: How much is a chiropractic malpractice case worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, liability clarity, available insurance coverage, and long-term prognosis. Stroke and spinal cord injury cases involving permanent disability can result in substantial settlements or verdicts. Texas caps non-economic damages in malpractice cases, but economic damages (medical expenses, lost income, future care) are not capped.

Why Choose Paul Previte for Your Chiropractic Malpractice Case?
Chiropractic malpractice cases are among the most complex in personal injury law. They require a deep understanding of spinal anatomy, chiropractic technique, and the applicable standard of care. They require qualified medical experts willing to testify against a fellow healthcare provider. And they require an attorney willing to take on well-funded corporate defendants who will fight aggressively to avoid liability. Paul Previte has done all of this. He has spent 30 years in North Texas courtrooms as a prosecutor, judge, and trial attorney. He handles every case personally and he does not back down from difficult defendants. If a chiropractor’s negligence changed your life, call 817-335-4357 today for a free consultation.

Serving Fort Worth and All of North Texas

The Previte Firm represents chiropractic malpractice victims throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and North Texas, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Plano, Irving, Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Bedford, Euless, Hurst, Weatherford, Cleburne, and all communities in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, Parker, Hood, and Johnson counties.

Contact us today for a free consultation — call 817-335-4357 or click here.