Chicago Chiropractic Malpractice Lawyer
If you were injured by a chiropractor in Chicago, your health, your finances, and your future may already be affected. You may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term harm caused by negligent care. Illinois law places strict deadlines on malpractice claims, so taking action early matters. Our Chicago chiropractic malpractice lawyer at Ankin Law can review what happened and explain whether you have a valid case.
Chiropractic treatment is intended to relieve pain and improve function, but in rare cases, improper care may contribute to additional injury. However, when a chiropractor fails to follow accepted standards of care, the result can be serious and sometimes permanent harm. Injuries linked to negligent chiropractic treatment may include stroke, nerve damage, spinal cord injury, or worsened back and neck conditions.
“I’m Howard Ankin. If a chiropractic adjustment led to serious injury, you don’t have to figure out what went wrong on your own. At Ankin Law, we help clients uncover whether their treatment followed the law, and what to do if it didn’t. We take the time to understand your condition, your care, and your next steps.”
~ Howard Ankin, Chicago chiropractic malpractice lawyer, founder of Ankin Law.
If chiropractic care appears to have worsened your condition or contributed to new medical problems, it may be the result of negligent care. Determining what went wrong and whether the chiropractor failed to meet required standards often requires legal and medical review. A lawyer can step in to protect your rights and explain your options.
At Ankin Law, we take chiropractic malpractice claims seriously. We review treatment records, consult medical experts, and explain your rights in clear, practical terms so you can make informed decisions. If you believe a chiropractor’s care caused further harm, call (312) 600-0000 for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
What Counts as Chiropractic Malpractice?
Chiropractic malpractice happens when a chiropractor causes harm by failing to meet professional standards. Like doctors, chiropractors must provide safe, appropriate care based on each patient’s condition. When they don’t, the consequences can be serious, especially when the spine or neck is involved. Some of the most common types of chiropractic malpractice include:
Spinal Manipulation That Causes a Stroke or Nerve Injury
High-velocity neck adjustments can damage arteries or nerves. In rare cases, this may lead to a stroke or long-term neurological issues. Chiropractors must assess the risks before performing these procedures.
Failure to Diagnose or Refer
Chiropractors are trained to treat certain musculoskeletal issues, but not all medical conditions. If they miss signs of a serious illness or delay referral to a doctor, the patient’s health can suffer.
Excessive Force During Adjustments
Using too much pressure during spinal manipulation can cause fractures, disc injuries, or torn ligaments. Care should always match the patient’s age, size, and medical history.
Treating Despite a Known Contraindication
Patients with conditions like osteoporosis, cancer, or spinal instability may be at higher risk during chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors must screen for these red flags and avoid treatment that could make the condition worse.
Ignoring Signs of Complications
After treatment, a patient may show signs of serious complications, like numbness, dizziness, or worsening pain. Chiropractors have a duty to respond promptly, refer out, or call for emergency care if needed.
How Chiropractic Treatment Can Lead to Injury
Many people think of chiropractic care as low risk. In most cases, it is. Unfortunately, when something goes wrong, the consequences can be significant and life-altering. In the most severe cases, chiropractic negligence can result in catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis, traumatic brain injury, or permanent neurological impairment.
Spinal adjustments, especially to the neck, can put stress on arteries and nerves. If done improperly, they can lead to vertebral artery dissection, a tear in a major blood vessel, which can cause a stroke. Other times, forceful manipulation can injure spinal discs or worsen an existing back injury.
Common injuries caused by chiropractic negligence include:
- Stroke (due to artery damage)
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Fractures
- Chronic pain
Some symptoms appear right away. Others may take days to become noticeable. If you begin experiencing headaches, numbness, weakness, or trouble walking after an adjustment, seek medical attention immediately.
- Under Illinois law, claims for injuries arising from chiropractic care are governed by medical malpractice rules, which include specific requirements before a lawsuit can be filed.
- Illinois also imposes firm time limits on when these claims can be brought, even if symptoms do not appear right away.
Signs Your Injury May Be Linked to Chiropractic Negligence
Not every injury after chiropractic treatment is malpractice, but certain warning signs should not be ignored. Recognizing red flags early can protect both your health and your legal rights.
One concerning sign is the sudden onset of severe symptoms shortly after an adjustment. This may include
- intense headaches
- Dizziness
- vision changes
- Numbness
- weakness in the arms or legs
- difficulty speaking
These symptoms can indicate neurological injury or reduced blood flow to the brain and require immediate medical attention.
Another warning sign is worsening pain instead of gradual improvement. Chiropractic care should not cause escalating discomfort, loss of mobility, or new areas of pain. If your condition deteriorates after treatment and the chiropractor continues adjustments without reevaluating your symptoms or referring you to a medical doctor, this may point to negligent care.
You should also be cautious if a chiropractor failed to ask about your medical history or ignored known risk factors. Conditions such as osteoporosis, spinal instability, connective tissue disorders, or prior neck injuries can increase the risk of serious harm. Proceeding with aggressive manipulation despite these risks may fall below the accepted standard of care.
Delayed symptoms are also common in malpractice cases. Some injuries, including vascular damage or nerve compression, may take days to become noticeable. If symptoms appear later, and you suspect they may be connected to prior chiropractic treatment, it is still important to seek medical evaluation and legal guidance.
If something about your treatment or recovery does not feel right, trust your instincts. Speaking with a chiropractic malpractice lawyer can help you understand whether your injury may be linked to negligent care and what steps to take next.
Who Can File a Malpractice Claim
In Illinois, any patient who was injured because a chiropractor provided negligent care may be eligible to file a malpractice claim. You must be able to show that the chiropractor’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care and directly caused you harm.
To bring a malpractice case in Illinois, you must show that:
- The chiropractor owed you a duty of care
- The chiropractor breached that duty by providing negligent treatment
- That breach caused you harm
- You suffered actual damages, such as medical costs or loss of income
If your condition worsened after a chiropractic adjustment, or you suffered a new injury that should not have occurred with proper care, you may have grounds to pursue a claim.
You do not need to prove that the chiropractor intended to hurt you. Most malpractice claims are based on unintentional mistakes that have serious consequences.
Examples of situations that may support a claim:
- A chiropractor adjusts your neck without reviewing your medical history, causing a stroke
- You tell the chiropractor about numbness, but they continue treatment without referring you to a doctor
- You suffer a disc herniation because the chiropractor used too much force
If you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies, a consultation with a malpractice lawyer can help clarify things. They can review your records and consult medical experts to assess your claim.
How Illinois Law Treats Chiropractic Malpractice
In Illinois, chiropractic malpractice falls under the same laws that govern medical malpractice. That means these cases must meet specific requirements.
Certificate of Merit
Before filing a lawsuit, your attorney must obtain a certificate of merit. This is a written report from a healthcare professional who has reviewed the case and believes there is a reasonable basis to proceed.
Statute of Limitations
Generally, you must file a malpractice lawsuit within two years of discovering the injury. However, no case can be filed more than four years after the actual date of the malpractice. There are exceptions for minors or cases where the injury wasn’t immediately apparent.
Missing the deadline can limit or prevent your ability to seek compensation, so it’s important to act quickly.
What Damages Are Available
If your malpractice claim is successful, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills related to the injury
- Future medical treatment or rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or loss of normal life
A malpractice attorney can help calculate your damages based on your medical records, expert opinions, and the impact the injury has had on your daily life.
How a Lawyer Helps With Your Claim
Malpractice cases are complex. Chiropractors and their insurance companies often fight these claims aggressively. Having a lawyer can make a big difference.
A chiropractic malpractice lawyer will help with:
- Investigating the care you received
- Gathering medical records and expert opinions
- Preparing the certificate of merit
- Handling communication with insurance companies
- Filing the lawsuit if needed
- Negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial
Most cases settle out of court, but your lawyer should be prepared to go to trial if necessary. They can also help you understand what to expect and keep the process moving forward.
What You Should Do After an Injury
If you were hurt by a chiropractor, here are a few steps you can take to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Get medical care. See a physician to evaluate your condition.
- Avoid further chiropractic treatment. Wait until a medical doctor clears you.
- Request your records. Get a copy of your chiropractic treatment notes.
- Document your symptoms. Write down what you’re experiencing and how it’s affecting your life.
- Talk to a lawyer. An experienced attorney can review your situation and explain your options.
Taking action early helps preserve evidence and gives you the best chance of a successful claim.
Why Some People Don’t Realize They Have a Claim
Many people assume that chiropractic care is low risk. When something goes wrong, they may not immediately connect their new symptoms to the treatment. Others may feel uncertain about whether what happened was actually malpractice.
If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask questions. A lawyer can help you make sense of what happened and whether it rises to the level of a legal claim. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you were injured by a chiropractor, you may have questions about your rights and what steps to take next. Below are answers to common questions people have when they are considering a malpractice claim. These responses can help you better understand what to expect and whether it makes sense to speak with an attorney.
Can I sue if a chiropractor caused a stroke?
If a stroke was connected to chiropractic care and negligent screening or treatment, it may support a claim for malpractice. Strokes linked to chiropractic care often result from a tear in the vertebral artery. A legal claim may be possible if the chiropractor failed to screen for risks or used unsafe techniques.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Under Illinois law, most malpractice claims must be filed within two years of discovering the injury. However, the law does not allow you to file more than four years from the date of the treatment. Talking to a lawyer early helps avoid missing these important deadlines.
What if I signed a waiver before treatment?
A waiver doesn’t always prevent a malpractice claim. While chiropractors often ask patients to sign consent forms, those forms do not excuse negligent care. If the treatment caused harm due to a breach in the standard of care, a claim may still be possible.
What if I already had a back problem?
You can still bring a claim if the chiropractor made your condition worse. Having a preexisting injury doesn’t remove the provider’s responsibility to act safely. The law allows recovery if negligent care caused further harm.
Do I need expert testimony?
Yes. Illinois law requires a medical expert to review your case and confirm that malpractice may have occurred. This is called a certificate of merit, and it is required before you can file a lawsuit. Your lawyer will find the appropriate expert to review the facts.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?
Most malpractice lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay upfront legal fees. The lawyer only gets paid if they recover compensation for you. If there is no recovery, you typically owe nothing for attorney fees. It is important to discuss payment terms with your attorney so you understand fee arrangements.
Talk With a Chiropractic Malpractice Lawyer
Victims of chiropractic malpractice can seek answers, accountability, and justice. You don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone, and you don’t have to face the healthcare system or insurance carriers without legal support.
Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 to speak confidentially with a Chicago chiropractic malpractice lawyer who can listen to your situation, explain your options, and help pursue appropriate compensation.