Iowa Chiropractic Malpractice Lawyers
Alternative Treatment Can Be Dangerous
A lot of people visit a chiropractor to receive treatment for physical ailments such as headaches, a sore back, and shoulder pain. But it’s important to remember that chiropractors are not medical doctors. Chiropractic treatment is a form of “alternative medicine” like acupuncture, Reiki, or herbal medicine.
Although people may refer to chiropractors as doctors, the practice doesn’t meet the standards of modern medicine. In fact, there is no scientific basis for many of the ideas behind chiropractic treatment.
Unfortunately, chiropractors often injure patients or make their existing problems worse. And many chiropractors cause harm by failing to refer patients with serious illnesses to the appropriate medical specialist.
If you were harmed by a negligent chiropractor in Iowa, contact the Iowa chiropractic malpractice attorneys at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. We’ll file a medical malpractice claim to help you get the money you need to cover your medical costs and other expenses caused by unsafe chiropractic care.
Call (877) 433-3906 to schedule a FREE consultation today.
The Limits of Chiropractic Treatment
Although chiropractors learn about anatomy and physiology, their course of study doesn’t approach the level of biological expertise required to become a medical doctor.
The standard form of chiropractic treatment is referred to as an “adjustment.” This is a vigorous physical manipulation that’s meant to relieve pain and increase mobility. But there’s no scientific evidence that an adjustment provides a medical benefit.
Chiropractors base their regimen of treatment on an unverified notion. They believe that musculoskeletal pain is caused by something called subluxations. There’s no medical proof that subluxations exist, and they are not visible on X-rays or any other type of advanced imaging technology such as MRIs or CT scans.
What Is Chiropractic Malpractice?
When a healthcare provider makes an error that injures a patient in Iowa, they can be held liable for the harm they cause. Negligent chiropractors are subject to the same malpractice laws that apply to legitimate medical practitioners like doctors, dentists, and nurses.
A chiropractor’s careless actions may result in a missed diagnosis, direct physical harm, or a delay in treatment. Chiropractic treatment may cause serious injuries, including:
- Muscle damage
- Broken ribs
- Paralysis
- Torn ligaments
- Loss of mobility
- Sciatic nerve pain
- Bone fractures
- Lumbar pain
- Birth injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neurological damage
- Herniated or rupture disks
The Risk of Strokes from Chiropractic Treatment
A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that results when part of the patient’s brain doesn’t receive enough blood. Symptoms include paralysis, confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, loss of balance, and impaired vision.
A treatment called chiropractic manipulative technique (CMT) has been linked to strokes. According to research conducted at the University of California, this vigorous form of manipulation can cause a vertebral artery dissection (VAD), which is a tear in one or more tissue layers that make up your vertebral artery. A VAD may cause blood clots that can trigger a stroke.
Failure to Disclose Risks
Chiropractors often fail to make important disclosures to their patients before treatment begins. When this happens, a patient can’t make a fully informed decision about the safest available medical care.
Before treating a patient, a chiropractor should always:
- Inform the patient about the risks involved in chiropractic treatment.
- Outline treatment alternatives.
- Review the patient’s medical history.
- Refer the patient to a medical specialist when necessary.
Were You Harmed by a Careless Chiropractor in Iowa?
Chiropractic malpractice in Iowa often causes serious medical harm. It’s only right that the chiropractor who hurt you should be expected to pay for your medical treatment and other expenses resulting from their negligent actions.
Our Iowa medical malpractice attorneys at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. have been recognized as leaders in the field by Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell® Top Rated Lawyers. We’ve won millions of dollars in claims for our clients.
Call (877) 433-3906 to learn more today.
Great Trial Lawyers Obtaining Unparalleled Results
303-759-9945 
877-433-3906