Are you a Victim of Chiropractor Malpractice and Negligence?

When the people of Memphis Tennessee and people all over the United States go see a chiropractor they expect that person is qualified and capable of treating their injuries and problems. However, many people may not realize that chiropractors do not have the same training as doctors do even though they must follow certain rules and regulations. If you have been injured as the result of a treatment from a chiropractor and feel that malpractice or negligence may have been the cause, then you should speak with a Tennessee Chiropractor malpractice and personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They will work for you to get you the compensation that is rightfully yours for your injuries.

What are Chiropractors Required to do Before Treating Their Patients?

Chiropractors just like any other medical professional are held to certain standards and guidelines and have a duty to cause no harm. Prior to giving a patient any kind of medical treatment, the chiropractor must give their patient all the necessary information about the procedure they will be performing, including any risks involved. They must also get the patient’s informed permission or consent before the treatment is performed. Chiropractors are also required to perform any necessary testing prior to treatment and have knowledge of a full and complete medical history of the patient. If the chiropractor fails to do these tasks, then they may be negligent and may be held accountable for malpractice.

What are Some of the Injuries That can Occur After Receiving Treatment From a Chiropractor?

Many people who go to see chiropractors assume that the treatments they receive are necessary, safe, and will be beneficial to them in the long run. However, chiropractic treatments are not for everyone. It is important to know the risks and injuries involved with this type of treatment. Some of the injuries that may result from improper care include but are not limited to:

Stroke
Slipped disks
Various spinal cord injuries
paralysis
Paraplegia

Many of these injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities and serious medical conditions. These injuries can cost a person large amounts of money in medical bills, loss of income from being unable to work and even large amounts of pain or suffering.

The Signs of a Chiropractic Stroke

According to the National Institutes of Health, 31 percent of men and women who suffered a torn artery after a chiropractic adjustment died shortly after, or were permanently disabled. At this time, our Tennessee chiropractic malpractice lawyers are accepting cases of vascular or carotid arterial dissection and stroke injuries that resulted after a neck adjustment. If you or a loved one believe this has happened to you, call The Higgins Firm now.

What is a Chiropractic Stroke?

When forceful or rapid manipulation is made to the neck, the carotid or vascular artery can be torn. Both of these arteries transport blood to the brain. When torn, even slightly, a blood clot can form. Over time, typically a few days to a few weeks, the clot can travel up to the brain and stop the flow of blood; thus, causing a stroke.

Signs of a Chiropractic Stroke

Most chiropractic strokes are never diagnosed. This is because the time that passes between the adjustment and the stroke is usually considerably. The victim, family members, or doctors rarely make the connection between the two. Our Tennessee chiropractic negligence lawyers know of a minimum of 500 reported cases of patients who suffered a stroke because of a manipulation. Some of these people died, and others were paralyzed.

Most patients won’t know their artery(ies) have been torn, but many will feel tenderness in the neck. It typically takes 3 days to 4 weeks or more for the injury to produce noticeable symptoms. Some of the early symptoms of a chiropractic stroke include:

Sudden numbness (often on one side of the body)
Sudden weakness
Sudden confusion
Inability to speak, or to speak clearly
Inability to understand others
Vision loss
Balance and/or coordination problems
Loss of motor function

If you are experiencing any of the above signs, please call 911 or go to an emergency room right away. Failure to diagnose a potential stroke could have fatal consequences.

The Higgins Firm – Chiropractic Injury Lawyers On Your Side

If you or someone you know has been injured and suffered because of a chiropractor’s negligence and malpractice, it is recommended that you do not try to handle your claim without an attorney. These cases can be complicated because a chiropractor’s standards are decided by other chiropractors in the field. That is why it is advised that you contact a knowledgeable and caring Chiropractor malpractice and personal injury attorney with the Higgins Firm. We will review your case to see if negligence did take place and if so, we will help you to receive the compensation you need for your medical bills, daily living expenses, loss of income, and damages for pain and suffering. We will make sure the chiropractor is held accountable for their actions.

Author Bio

Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.

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