Chiropractic care is routinely sought out by Poughkeepsie residents. Chiropractors offer a number of physical adjustments to the body that they claim will relieve pain and discomfort. While many patients find success through the use of chiropractic care, others are not so lucky. Chiropractic malpractice has the potential to worsen some injuries or even cause new ones.

If you have sustained physical trauma due to the negligence of your chiropractor, you might be entitled to financial compensation. A driven medical malpractice attorney could work with you to determine if the chiropractor breached their standard of care. It could benefit you to discuss your options with a Poughkeepsie chiropractic malpractice lawyer to learn more about your legal options.

Examples of Chiropractic Malpractice

As is the case with medical doctors, chiropractors must adhere to an accepted standard of care as well. Deviating from this standard of care could result in serious injuries that worsen the conditions that the patient is already suffering from. A Poughkeepsie chiropractic malpractice attorney could help with identifying these symptoms and determining what brought them on.

Negligent Manipulation

One of the most common ways a chiropractor could injure a patient is through negligent manipulation. Negligent manipulation occurs when, instead of improving a patient’s condition, the chiropractor makes an adjustment that causes a new injury or worsens the current condition. This can lead to physical harm, including broken ribs, nerve damage, or herniated discs.

Stroke

While rare, it is possible for negligent chiropractic care to result in a stroke. A chiropractic-induced stroke happens when an artery connected to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures due to chiropractic manipulation. The stroke might not even take place until weeks after the chiropractic adjustment.

Lack of Informed Consent

There are inherent risks that come with chiropractic care. Even when a chiropractor meets their acceptable standard of care, injuries and illness can happen. It is important that the chiropractor provide informed consent to a patient before any chiropractic work occurs. This is especially important for patients with underlying health issues that could be triggered by an adjustment.

Recoverable Compensation

Due to the delicate nature of chiropractic work, the potential for serious injury always exists. Any act of negligence could lead to severe injuries involving sensitive areas such as the back, spinal cord, or neck. The end result of these injuries can be a lifetime of costly, ongoing medical treatment.

One of the ways a Poughkeepsie chiropractic malpractice attorney could help is by pursuing compensation for these hardships. This includes, but is not limited to, covering the cost of any medical care that stems from the act of malpractice.

In addition to medical care, there could be other damages as well. An injury could prevent a patient from maintaining their employment, which could lead to a sudden and unexpected decrease in their income. Other damages could include things like assistive equipment, diminished future earnings, or pain and suffering. An attorney could evaluate all the ways in which chiropractic malpractice has impacted a person’s life and determine the damages they are entitled to recover.

Reach Out to a Poughkeepsie Chiropractic Malpractice Attorney for Help

You have legal recourse if you were injured due to severe errors from a chiropractor. Should your chiropractor breach their duty of care owed to you, a monetary award could be a possibility. Do not face this challenge alone. Call a Poughkeepsie chiropractic malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.