If you have suffered a serious injury following a spinal manipulation, you should know that you have rights. Professional negligence in this field can lead to life-altering consequences, ranging from herniated discs to strokes. We understand how confusing and painful this time is for you and your family.
At Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers, our dedicated medical malpractice attorneys are committed to holding negligent practitioners accountable for the harm they cause. If you suspect that your injury was the result of a provider’s error, consulting with a skilled Chicago chiropractic malpractice lawyer is the most effective step toward understanding your legal options and securing the compensation you need to heal.
What Are the Risks of High-Velocity Spinal Adjustments?
The most severe complication spinal adjustments can cause is the dissection of the vertebral artery, which can lead to a stroke. This occurs when the lining of the artery tears due to sudden neck rotation or extension, causing a clot to form that travels to the brain. Often, victims are young and healthy, making the sudden onset of stroke symptoms shocking and tragic.
Aside from strokes, improper technique can worsen existing structural problems in the back. A chiropractor who fails to review medical history or skips necessary imaging tests, such as X-rays, might perform an adjustment on a patient with osteoporosis or a pre-existing disc issue, leading to fractures or nerve compression.
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling chiropractic negligence cases in Chicago, and we know how to investigate whether the practitioner failed to assess your risk factors before proceeding with treatment. We review the intake process to determine whether red flags were ignored in favor of a quick adjustment.
Common Injuries Resulting From Chiropractic Negligence
It is crucial to recognize the symptoms of an injury immediately following an appointment. Our chiropractic injury attorneys in Chicago have represented clients suffering from a wide range of trauma caused by aggressive or improper manipulations. These injuries can include:
- Vertebral artery dissection: A tear in the neck artery leading to stroke, paralysis, or death
- Herniated or slipped discs: Adjustments that rupture spinal discs, causing intense pain and nerve damage
- Cauda equina syndrome: Severe compression of nerves at the base of the spine requiring emergency surgery
- Rib fractures: Broken bones caused by excessive force during thoracic adjustments
- Nerve damage: Loss of sensation or motor function due to improper spinal alignment
If you experience dizziness, slurred speech, severe headaches, or numbness immediately after an adjustment, seek emergency medical attention. Once your health is stabilized, documenting these symptoms helps us build a stronger case for your claim.
Informed Consent and Liability
One of the key components of a malpractice claim is informed consent. A chiropractor is ethically and legally obligated to inform you of the potential risks. If you were not warned of these dangers and subsequently suffered an injury, your ability to make an informed decision about your own healthcare was violated. Many patients would decline a neck adjustment if they fully understood the potential for catastrophic injury.
Furthermore, liability extends beyond just the physical technique used. It also encompasses the decision-making process. Chiropractors should consider whether an adjustment is appropriate for your symptoms, or whether you should have been referred to a neurologist or orthopedist instead.
Our lawyers have pursued many malpractice claims against Chicago chiropractors who prioritized profit or repeat visits over patient safety. By analyzing the consent forms you signed and comparing them with the verbal warnings you did or did not receive, we can establish whether the provider failed in their duty to keep you informed and safe.
Recovering Damages for Your Suffering
The aftermath of a chiropractic injury is often expensive. You may be facing mounting hospital bills for surgeries you never expected to need, along with the costs of physical therapy and medication. If your injury has left you unable to work, the loss of income adds a layer of financial panic to your physical pain. Our goal is to secure a settlement or verdict that covers all of these economic losses, ensuring you are not financially ruined by someone else’s mistake.
We also fight for non-economic damages, which account for the pain, suffering, and decrease in quality of life you have experienced. If you can no longer enjoy your hobbies, play with your children, or live without chronic pain, those losses deserve recognition and compensation. We build a comprehensive picture of how this injury has derailed your life.
Our Chicago lawyers work with medical economists and life-care planners to calculate the true value of your chiropractic malpractice claim, fighting for a future where your needs are met.
Contact a Chicago Chiropractic Malpractice Attorney Today
You went to a professional for help, and instead, you suffered serious harm. You do not have to navigate the complex legal system or face insurance companies alone while you are trying to recover. We are here to lift the legal burden from you. We will investigate your claim thoroughly, consult with top medical experts, and fight tirelessly to secure the justice you deserve.
Do not wait to get the legal advice you need, as strict time limits apply to filing medical malpractice claims. Contact Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers to discuss your case with a Chicago chiropractic malpractice lawyer today.