Chiropractic Malpractice: Understanding the Risks of Spinal Manipulation Errors

Chiropractic Malpractice: Understanding the Risks of Spinal Manipulation Errors

Chiropractic care is a popular alternative treatment option for patients experiencing musculoskeletal pain, particularly involving the back, neck, and spine. When practiced properly, chiropractic adjustments can offer relief and improve mobility. However, when chiropractors fail to follow accepted standards of care, the results can be devastating. From minor injuries to catastrophic neurological damage, the consequences of negligent spinal manipulation can permanently alter a patient’s quality of life.

This article explores what chiropractic malpractice looks like, the types of injuries that may result, who is most vulnerable, and how Indiana law protects patients harmed by chiropractic negligence.

What Is Chiropractic Malpractice?

Chiropractic malpractice occurs when a chiropractor provides substandard care that leads to injury or worsened health outcomes. As licensed health care providers, chiropractors are legally obligated to uphold a specific standard of care, similar to medical doctors. When they deviate from that standard—whether through carelessness, lack of training, or poor judgment—they can be held liable for any resulting harm. Examples of chiropractic malpractice include performing spinal adjustments without properly evaluating the patient’s condition, failing to recognize contraindications such as osteoporosis, spinal instability, or vascular disease, overextending or forcefully manipulating the spine or neck, ignoring patient complaints or warning signs of complications, failing to refer the patient to a physician when necessary, and misdiagnosing or failing to diagnose an underlying medical condition that requires traditional medical treatment. Because spinal manipulation directly affects the central nervous system and blood vessels, even a small mistake can lead to serious injury.

Serious Injuries Caused by Chiropractic Negligence

While some chiropractic injuries are mild and temporary—such as soreness or stiffness—others can be severe and long-lasting. Some of the most serious injuries include:

• Vertebral Artery Dissection and Stroke: High-velocity neck adjustments can tear the lining of the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain. This can lead to a life-threatening stroke, particularly in younger patients.
• Spinal Cord Injury: Aggressive or improper manipulation can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in permanent paralysis or loss of function.
• Nerve Damage: Nerves running through the cervical and lumbar spine can be compressed or damaged during treatment, causing chronic pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.
• Herniated or Ruptured Discs: Poor technique may cause a spinal disc to shift or rupture, leading to nerve impingement and severe back or leg pain (sciatica).
• Chronic Headaches or Migraines: Misaligned vertebrae or nerve compression from improper adjustments can trigger long-term headaches or migraines.
• Worsening of Pre-existing Conditions: Manipulating a fragile or unstable spine can intensify existing injuries or medical conditions.

These injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, or long-term medical management—and they could have been entirely avoidable with proper care.

Who Is Most at Risk for Chiropractic Injury?

While anyone can be injured by chiropractic negligence, certain patients are more susceptible due to their age, medical history, or condition. High-risk groups include:

• Elderly individuals with osteoporosis, arthritis, or frailty
• Patients recovering from recent trauma or surgery, such as car accidents or spinal procedures
• People with vascular issues, including hypertension or known aneurysms
• Individuals with spinal instability or congenital abnormalities
• Patients with neurological disorders, like multiple sclerosis or prior strokes

Responsible chiropractors should take a detailed medical history and perform appropriate exams before any treatment. They should also know when to pause treatment and refer the patient to a medical doctor. Failure to do so is not just negligent—it can be dangerous.

Red Flags of Chiropractic Negligence

Patients and families should be vigilant for warning signs that something is amiss during chiropractic care. Red flags include a chiropractor who does not perform a physical exam or obtain your medical history before beginning treatment, experiencing severe pain or worsening symptoms after an adjustment, or developing dizziness, vision changes, or slurred speech following neck manipulation. Other concerns include being discouraged from seeing a medical doctor or obtaining diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or MRIs, feeling rushed, ignored, or pressured into treatment without a clear explanation. Informed consent is a critical part of any healthcare interaction, and if you were not informed about the risks of spinal manipulation or felt unclear about your treatment plan, it may indicate that the chiropractor failed to meet the expected standard of care.

Legal Accountability for Chiropractic Injuries in Indiana

In Indiana, chiropractors are held to a professional standard of care just like physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. When they fail to meet that standard and cause harm, they can be held liable under Indiana’s medical malpractice laws.

Key components of a chiropractic malpractice case include:

1. Duty of Care – The chiropractor had a legal obligation to treat the patient competently.
2. Breach of Duty – The chiropractor failed to act according to accepted practices.
3. Causation – The chiropractor’s action (or inaction) directly caused the injury.
4. Damages – The patient suffered measurable harm, including pain, medical costs, or disability.

In Indiana, medical malpractice claims—including those involving chiropractors—may need to go through the Medical Review Panel process before proceeding to court. This panel of healthcare professionals evaluates the evidence and gives an opinion on whether malpractice occurred.

The statute of limitations to file a claim against a facility in Indiana related to medical malpractice is generally two years from the date of the malpractice. However, there are various important exceptions that may apply which may be longer. There may also be important deadlines that apply that could be significantly shorter. If you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, you may be barred from filing a claim. However, exceptions may apply. It is important to act promptly and consult with an experienced Indiana medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to review the facts of your case, determine which deadlines may apply, and to ensure you are taking the appropriate steps to protect your rights.

A medical malpractice attorney can guide you through the complex legal process, gather medical evidence, consult experts, and protect your rights every step of the way.

What Patients Should Do After a Chiropractic Injury

If you suspect you’ve been injured due to chiropractic malpractice, taking the following steps can help protect your health and legal rights:

• Seek medical attention immediately – Some injuries, especially strokes or spinal damage, require urgent care.
• Request your chiropractic records – An experienced malpractice attorney can handle this process and ensure nothing is missing.
• Get a second opinion – A doctor or specialist can assess the damage and determine whether the chiropractor’s actions caused or worsened the injury. Your attorney can help connect you with a trusted expert.
• Document everything – Keep a log of symptoms, doctor visits, missed work, and daily limitations caused by your injury.
• Consult a medical malpractice attorney – An Indiana-based attorney can evaluate your case and pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income.

Conclusion

Chiropractic care is not without risk—and when negligence occurs, the consequences can be life-changing. Whether it’s a neck manipulation that leads to a stroke or a missed diagnosis that delays essential care, patients have the right to hold chiropractors accountable for harm caused by improper treatment.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury due to a chiropractor’s actions, don’t wait. Speak with an experienced Indiana medical malpractice attorney to understand your legal options and begin the path toward justice and recovery.

The Powless Law Firm is an Indiana law firm that represents victims and families statewide in serious cases involving medical negligence, nursing home neglect, birth injury, personal injury, and wrongful death. If you have concerns about medical malpractice, please contact us at (877) 769-5377. Together we can make a difference.