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While most chiropractic treatments are performed safely, mistakes can lead to serious and sometimes permanent injuries. Chiropractor malpractice occurs when a provider deviates from accepted standards of care, resulting in harm to the patient. These injuries can range from pinched nerves and fractures to strokes and spinal cord damage. If negligence was involved, the patient may have grounds to pursue a malpractice claim.
What Is Chiropractor Malpractice?
Chiropractors are licensed healthcare providers, and like medical doctors, they have a legal duty to treat patients with reasonable care. When they fail to meet that standard—by making avoidable errors, ignoring symptoms, or performing inappropriate procedures—they can be held liable for malpractice.
To bring a claim, the patient must show:
- A doctor–patient relationship existed
- The chiropractor failed to provide the appropriate standard of care
- The negligence caused an injury
- The injury resulted in specific damages (e.g., medical bills, lost wages, pain)
Chiropractic malpractice is less common than surgical or diagnostic errors, but the consequences can be just as serious.
Neck Manipulation and Stroke (Cervical Artery Dissection)
One of the most severe risks linked to chiropractic care is stroke. High-velocity neck adjustments can cause a vertebral or carotid artery dissection—a tear in the artery wall that disrupts blood flow to the brain.
Symptoms may include:
- Sudden headache
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Facial drooping or weakness
This type of injury can lead to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke, sometimes within hours or days of the manipulation. Chiropractors should screen patients for risk factors and avoid forceful manipulation when symptoms suggest vascular compromise.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Nerve Damage
Chiropractic adjustments that are too aggressive—or performed on the wrong part of the spine—can damage nerves, discs, or the spinal cord itself. These injuries may result in:
- Numbness or tingling
- Chronic pain
- Loss of mobility
- Weakness in the limbs
- Incontinence or sexual dysfunction (in cauda equina syndrome)
In some cases, spinal cord compression may require surgery or result in permanent disability. Patients who were not properly warned of the risks or were treated without appropriate imaging may have a claim.
Herniated or Ruptured Discs
Chiropractors may perform spinal manipulation to relieve back pain, but improper technique or excessive force can lead to a herniated disc or worsen an existing one. A ruptured disc can press on spinal nerves, causing:
- Sharp or radiating pain
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of sensation
- Difficulty standing or walking
If the chiropractor failed to diagnose a disc injury before treatment—or ignored signs that manipulation was unsafe—they may be liable for the resulting harm.
Fractures or Dislocations
Forceful spinal or joint adjustments can lead to vertebral fractures, rib fractures, or joint dislocations, especially in older patients or those with osteoporosis or other risk factors. These injuries may require surgical repair and prolonged recovery.
Red flags include:
- Intense pain during or after treatment
- Audible cracking or popping
- Bruising, swelling, or visible deformity
A chiropractor who fails to review medical history, request diagnostic imaging, or obtain informed consent may be responsible for injuries that should have been prevented.
Missed or Delayed Medical Diagnosis
Chiropractors are not medical doctors, but they are expected to refer patients to physicians when a condition falls outside their scope of care. Failing to recognize the signs of a serious medical issue—such as a tumor, infection, or fracture—can delay life-saving treatment.
Common oversights include:
- Attributing symptoms to “subluxations” instead of investigating deeper causes
- Continuing treatment despite worsening symptoms
- Delaying referral for diagnostic testing or specialist evaluation
These failures may result in claims for delayed diagnosis or negligent referral.
Talk to a Medical Malpractice Attorney About Chiropractic Injury
Chiropractic malpractice injuries are often preventable and can leave patients with long-term pain, disability, or life-threatening complications. At Nagel Rice, we represent clients throughout New Jersey who have suffered harm due to negligent chiropractic care. The sooner you contact us, the better your chances of recovering just compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a chiropractor for making my condition worse?
Yes. If a chiropractor’s treatment caused new injuries or worsened an existing condition due to negligence, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim. This can include improper manipulation, failure to diagnose, or treating beyond their scope of care.
Do I need expert testimony to prove chiropractor malpractice?
In most cases, yes. Like other medical malpractice claims in New Jersey, chiropractic malpractice typically requires expert testimony to establish the standard of care and show how the chiropractor’s actions deviated from it.
How long do I have to file a chiropractic malpractice claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice, including chiropractic claims, is generally two years from the date you knew—or should have known—that malpractice occurred. There are some exceptions, so it’s best to consult an attorney as soon as possible.