Failure to diagnose serious conditions can lead to severe patient outcomes and legal repercussions. This post discusses a case where a chiropractor missed diagnosing a critical condition.
The Incident: A patient presented with symptoms that were not properly diagnosed by the chiropractor, leading to a delayed diagnosis of a serious condition requiring emergency intervention. The patient’s condition deteriorated, necessitating immediate surgery that cost $75,000, followed by several months of intensive care and rehabilitation costing an additional $50,000.
The Claim: The patient filed a malpractice claim, arguing that the delayed diagnosis caused unnecessary harm. The chiropractor’s malpractice insurance covered the settlement, which amounted to $600,000 to compensate for the additional medical treatments, pain, and suffering. The insurer also covered legal defense costs of about $80,000.
Lessons Learned:
- Thorough Assessment: Conduct comprehensive assessments to rule out serious conditions.
- Referral: When in doubt, refer patients to specialists for further evaluation.
- Documentation: Keep meticulous records of assessments and decisions to support your practice.
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