Comments on: Chiropractic Malpractice

By: April

April — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:45:04 +0000

RE Doctor of Medicine:

If that were the case, then why are so many of your former patients (patients from the allopathic medical community) coming to chiropractors for help because they are sick of pills and doctors who do NOT care!!!

By: Dr Martin

Dr Martin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:44:03 +0000

Another MD who says we are ineffective must not know what we do. Before you comment at least be educated on the subject. I have had many patients that have had surgery recommendations that have not required surgery after 6 weeks of treatment of manipulation and physical therapy. That’s right MDs PT is in our scope of practice and most good chiros utilize it through out the course treatment. I am willing to guess the MD that made this comment is no more than 2 hands and a prescription pad and not an orthopedic or neurourgeon. Those that see what we do respect our results because we keep alot of patients from having spine and shoulder surgery. When you speak you should read a journal article or two or have some knowledge on the subject not just blurt out non fact based opinions. If we want to start talking about what is effective and what is not don’t forget to mention that iatrogenic cause of death is in the top 3 killers in this country.

By: Doctor of medicine

Doctor of medicine — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:52:11 +0000

No one is saying that chiropractic work is dangerous. Its just ineffective, and does neither harm nor good.

By: MedMalGal

MedMalGal — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:00:26 +0000

I underwrite chiropractic malpractice insurance, former nursing home malpractice & allied health medmal underwriter for Lloyds of London… and you are correct… chiropractors are, in general a very low risk class. I’ve written policies for less than $500.

Of course, I’ve seen chiropractic malpractice claims as well… the 35 yr old male patient with shoulder pain after playing golf visits his chiro, gets adjusted/massaged, goes home & has a heart attack. Or the patient who visited her family chiropractic clinic for back pain and fatigue… The patients’ family sued both the chiropractor and the clinic for misdiagnosis… The patient had jaundice & subsequently died months later of pancreatic cancer. The DC recalled later, “yes, her skin did appear somewhat yellowish, I should have known”.

Dr. Baker, you are correct about the other premium rate factors: jurisdiction, procedures & etc. However, there are lots of discounts available that most MDs / DCs / Risk Managers don’t know about, unless they work with a licensed insurance broker who only writes medmal policies.

I would be happy to share any information you’d like about malpractice policies and premium rates.

Let me know if I can help! – MedMalGal

By: Dr. John Baker,DC

Dr. John Baker,DC — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:51:42 +0000

I agree with your article 100 % Doc.
A neurosurgeon friend of mine quit practice because his med mal carrier left the state and he had to seek another med mal carrier.
They were going to charge him $360,000.00
(three hundred sixty thousand) for only ONE YEAR of coverage (including “tail coverage”).

I agree that, generally, the size of Med Mal insurance premiums tend to reflect how much danger of being sued there is…but, there are usually other factors as well, such as geographic location, procedures done, etc.

Keep up the great blogging!
~Doc