Aggressive Advocacy
Chiropractic malpractice is one of the most underreported forms of medical negligence in Texas — and one of the most devastating. Patients trust their chiropractors with their spine, their neck, and their nervous system. When a chiropractor fails to meet the standard of care, the results can include stroke, permanent paralysis, spinal cord injury, and death.
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 departs from the standard of care that a reasonably competent practitioner would follow under the same circumstances, and that departure causes patient harm. This is not about a bad outcome — sometimes treatment fails despite proper care. Malpractice is about negligent care that no competent chiropractor should have provided.
Common Forms of Chiropractic Negligence
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.
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
Medical malpractice claims in Texas, including chiropractic malpractice, are subject to specific procedural requirements under Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. You must provide the defendant with 60 days notice before filing suit. You must also serve an expert report from a qualified healthcare provider within 120 days of filing. These requirements make it essential to contact an experienced attorney immediately — delays can permanently bar your claim.
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.
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 Texas, including Fort Worth, Haltom City, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Keller, and all surrounding communities in Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Johnson, Dallas, and Denton counties.
Contact us today for a free consultation — call 817-335-4357 or click here.