Chiropractor Negligence Claim

Specialist medical negligence solicitors – compensation for negligent chiropractic treatment

Chiropractic treatment has become increasingly popular in the UK as an alternative option for people struggling with back pain, neck stiffness and other musculoskeletal problems. A chiropractor focuses on your spine to treat any problems with your joints, bones and muscles, all of which can have an effect on the nervous system. Chiropractors can treat these problems using a range of manipulation techniques, some of which are very gentle and are designed to improve the function of your joints, muscle spasms and relieving any pain. But just like any other medical professional, they can make mistakes, which can cause major health problems. And that could give rise to a Chiropractor Negligence Claim

The chiropractic treatment can be considered as either a complementary or an alternative medicine and it can be used for treating back, shoulder and neck pain, joint, posture and muscle pain as well as headaches and migraines. If you have asthma, leg pain or sciatica, sports injuries, period problems, a chiropractor can use their skills to provide short-term pain relief. This is particularly effective for treating acute low back pain, migraine or tension headaches.

Sometimes however, chiropractors can cause more injuries, usually because while the treatment is accepted by most conventional medical practitioners, there is little scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness.

If you believe that you or a loved one have been subjected to chiropractic negligence, then you may be eligible for a medical compensation claim. The compensation you receive will make up for any injuries you may have suffered, or any time off work you may have taken as a result of the chiropractor’s actions or inaction.

To ensure you receive compensation for your claim, make sure you appoint a specialist medical negligence solicitor who will work with you to successfully recover any damages. Their knowledge and expertise means you stand a better chance of receiving compensation for any injuries that you may have suffered as a result of a chiropractor’s negligence.

Regulation of chiropractors

In common with most other healthcare professionals, the chiropractic profession is regulated by law.

Chiropractors are governed by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). They must meet professional standards and put patient safety first. Negligence occurs when a chiropractor’s care falls below that standard. In fact, the Chiropractors Act 1994 means that it is actually illegal to practise as a chiropractor, or use the title ‘chiropractor’, if you are not registered with the GCC.

Is there scientific proof that chiropractic treatment works?

The scientific evidence for chiropractic treatment is mixed. Research suggests that chiropractic spinal manipulation can be effective for certain conditions – particularly some types of lower back pain, short-term relief of neck pain, and certain musculoskeletal issues. For these problems, NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines recognise manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, as a possible treatment option when combined with exercise.

However, for many other conditions – such as asthma, migraines, digestive problems or general wellness – there is little or no reliable scientific evidence that chiropractic treatment is effective. Claims that spinal manipulation can treat unrelated medical conditions are not supported by strong research.

It is also important to note that while many patients report improvement, chiropractic treatment carries risks. In rare cases, neck manipulation has been linked to serious complications such as stroke or nerve injury. That is why informed consent and careful assessment of whether treatment is appropriate are essential.

If you were not properly warned about these risks, or if you suffered harm because a chiropractor attempted to treat a condition outside their expertise, you may have grounds for a medical negligence claim.

The most common type of Chiropractic Medical negligence?

Chiropractic treatment is widely used in the UK for back, neck and joint problems. Many patients find adjustments helpful when performed correctly. However, as with any medical treatment, things can go wrong if a chiropractor fails to meet professional standards of care. When errors occur, patients can suffer serious pain, long-term disability or even life-changing injuries.

Below we set out the most common types of Chiropractor Negligence Claim:.

1. Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose

One of the most frequent problems arises when a chiropractor fails to identify a serious underlying condition, such as a fracture, tumour or infection. Instead of referring the patient for urgent medical treatment, they may proceed with spinal manipulation, which can worsen the condition and delay proper care.

2. Failure to Take a Full Medical History

Safe chiropractic treatment depends on knowing about past injuries, operations, medications and other health problems. Negligence may occur if a chiropractor does not ask the right questions or ignores warning signs. Patients with osteoporosis or clotting disorders, for example, should be treated with extreme caution.

3. Inadequate Physical Examination

If a chiropractor fails to carry out a thorough examination, they risk missing red flags. Weakness in the limbs, loss of sensation or severe pain may point to a neurological emergency, not a musculoskeletal problem. Neglecting to investigate these symptoms can leave patients at risk of permanent injury.

4. Performing Unsafe Manipulations

Chiropractic adjustments should only be carried out when clinically justified and safe. Manipulating the neck or spine too forcefully, or in the wrong direction, can cause nerve damage, herniated discs or fractures. In rare cases, cervical manipulation has been linked to strokes caused by vertebral artery dissection.

5. Lack of Informed Consent

Before treatment, patients must be told about the risks and alternatives in plain language. Failure to explain that spinal manipulation carries potential dangers – including nerve injury or worsening symptoms – may amount to negligence if the patient suffers harm they were not warned about.

6. Treating Conditions Beyond Their Expertise

Chiropractors are not trained or qualified to manage all medical conditions. Attempting to treat problems such as inflammatory arthritis, severe spinal instability, or advanced neurological disease without appropriate referral can result in avoidable harm.

7. Failure to Refer for Medical Care

Good practice requires chiropractors to recognise when their patient needs urgent hospital or GP input. Negligence may arise if a chiropractor continues with adjustments despite signs of a medical emergency such as cauda equina syndrome, spinal cord compression, or severe infection.

8. Excessive or Unnecessary Treatment

Repeated manipulations over months without clinical justification can expose patients to unnecessary risk and financial loss. Over treatment may also mask the real underlying cause of pain, delaying proper diagnosis and recovery.

9. Poor Aftercare and Follow-Up

Negligence can occur when chiropractors fail to monitor patients after treatment, provide clear aftercare instructions, or respond properly to worsening symptoms. A lack of follow-up can mean that serious complications are missed until it is too late.

10. Use of Unsafe Equipment or Techniques

Although less common, negligence may involve faulty treatment tables, poorly sterilised equipment, or outdated techniques that no longer meet safety standards. Even basic errors – such as failing to position the patient correctly – can result in avoidable injury.

Making a Chiropractor Negligence Claim

If you have suffered injury because of poor chiropractic treatment, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim. The effects of negligent chiropractic treatment can range from mild to life-changing. Some of the most common injuries caused by Chiropractic Negligence include:

Worsening of a pre-existing back or neck problem

Slipped or herniated discs

Nerve damage leading to numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs

Fractures of the spine or ribs

Soft tissue injuries from overly aggressive manipulation

Delayed diagnosis of serious medical conditions

In rare cases, stroke following unsafe neck manipulation

Even a relatively minor injury can affect your ability to work, drive, exercise, or carry out everyday activities. More serious harm may lead to permanent disability or the need for ongoing care.

An experienced medical negligence solicitor will investigate your potential chiropractic negligence claim, gather medical evidence, and advise you on whether you are likely to succeed.

Sadly far too many errors, sometimes serious, are made by chiropractors. And they often involve negligent manipulation of the spine.

If this sort of treatment is not performed correctly, consequences can be severe and lifelong. Negligent spinal manipulation can cause very serious injuries, either by causing a new injury or worsening an existing condition.

When Chiropractic Treatment Crosses the Line

Many people wonder whether a bad experience with a chiropractor automatically amounts to negligence. The law is clear: treatment only becomes negligent if it falls below the standard of a reasonably competent chiropractor.

For example, if your chiropractor warned you about risks, obtained your consent, and carried out treatment in line with accepted practice, you may not have grounds for a claim even if the treatment did not work. By contrast, if they ignored red-flag symptoms or carried out manipulations that no careful chiropractor would have attempted, this may well amount to negligence.

But negligence does not just mean a poor outcome. Even if you were unhappy with your treatment, a claim usually requires evidence that the chiropractor failed in their duty of care and that this directly caused you injury.

Time Limits for Bringing a Claim

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment, or from when you first realised your injury was linked to that treatment. There are exceptions for children and those lacking mental capacity, but it is always best to seek advice as soon as possible.