Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in South Carolina

Injured by chiropractor

I went to went to a chiropractor complaining of lower back pain with specific pain in my right hip/pelvis area. After x-rays he indicated that my left hip was a lot lower than the right, that the left leg was shorter and that reflex in the ''left'' leg was diminished.

After some excruciating spinal manipulation and some other therapies, I left the Chiro Dr. after about three months.

Two months later I developed severe pain in my ''right'' leg. After an MRI, I was diagnosed with a large herniated disc and diminished reflex in the ''right'' leg. Surgery was recomended as necessary to reduce the chance of further complications. That is pending .

Would the Chiro Dr. be liable for not diagnosising a possible pre-condition and exasperating that to the point of surgery?


Asked on 3/13/01, 10:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert Johnston Law Offices of Robert J. Johnston

Re: Injured by chiropractor

Its possible. You would have to prove that a reasonable, prudent chiropractor would have diagosed it. In other words, if it was something that almost any other competent chiropractor would have dianosed and informed you of accordingly, then its quite possible that you have a case. It would therefore stand to reason that if any other chiropractor would have dianosed it, then obviously your doctor, was negligent. What a lot of people do in your situation, is go consult with another doctor for a second opinion. Now understand that a lot of doctors are reluctant to say anything negative about another doctor, especially one in their immediate area. Also, a lot of medical malpractice attorneys have medical people on their staff that can render a preliminary opinion.

Good luck. Robert Johnston 843-828-1137

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Answered on 5/23/01, 9:50 am


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