Vertebral Artery Dissection Lawyer In Cleveland, OH

ARTERIAL DISSECTION LAWSUITS & CHIROPRACTIC MALPRACTICE

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) occurs when there are small tears in the artery that passes through the upper vertebrae of the neck (the cervical spine), which can cause changes in blood flow to the brain and increase a person’s risks of stroke, disabling injuries, and wrongful death.

Although VAD can be caused by various accidents that cause injury to the cervical spine, a number of medical studies associate arterial dissection with chiropractic manipulation of the neck. These studies also suggest that VAD is commonly undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, putting chiropractic patients at great risk of severe harm.

If you or someone you love were diagnosed with vertebral artery dissection after a chiropractic adjustment, or if you believe medical professionals failed to diagnose a stroke, you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. Our award-winning attorneys at The Becker Law Firm are available to review your case and determine how we can help anywhere in Cleveland or the state of Ohio.

Why Choose The Becker Law Firm?

The Becker Law Firm is led by Attorney Michael F. Becker, a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who has earned national recognition for his work representing the injured and wronged. Over 40+ years in practice, Attorney Becker and our firm have excelled in complex malpractice claims across Ohio and the U.S., and have cultivated a proven record of success. This includes:

• Over $600 Million in compensation recovered for clients.
• Ohio record for the largest personal injury settlement for a single plaintiff.
• Multiple eight-figure settlements for victims of medical negligence.
• Recognition Among the Tier 1 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report.

The Becker Law Firm is comprised of proven and experienced lawyers, including attorneys who are Certified Civil Trial Specialists and Registered Nurses capable of drawing from their expertise. If you have a potential case, call (440) 252-4399 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Chiropractic Malpractice: Neck Manipulation & VAD

Though rare, high-velocity neck manipulation performed by a chiropractor can result in a vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to stroke, permanent disability, or even death.

While chiropractic adjustment of the neck is meant to restore range of motion, it can pose risks of tearing the inner lining of the vertebral artery, one of the four major arteries that supply blood to the brain.

When a tear occurs, changes to blood flow in vessels leading to the brain can increase risks of stroke – either due to blood clots in the arterial wall breaking off and obstructing blood flow or narrowing of the vessel. Patients with VAD associated with chiropractic cervical manipulation may experience symptoms such as:

• Vertigo
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Blurred vision
• Ataxia (i.e. slurred speech, incoordination, etc.)
• Mild numbness and weakness of the extremities

Because VAD can pose risks of cerebellar stroke, inner ear or vestibular nerve dysfunction, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, and fatal stroke (infarction or hemorrhage), chiropractors should inform patients of the risks and obtain consent prior to performing any high-velocity neck manipulation and ensure they meet accepted standards of their profession when performing adjustments.

Duty of Care: Did Your Chiropractor Fail to Meet the Standard?

Like medical physicians, chiropractors are held to standards of their profession, and they have a legal duty to provide a reasonable degree of care when treating patients and performing adjustments. If they fail to meet these standards and victims suffer injuries such as arterial dissection and / or stroke as a result, they may be held liable for the resulting damages.

Medical malpractice lawsuits against chiropractors – and claims alleging VAD or stroke due to cervical manipulation – can be highly complex. Patients may not make the connection between their adjustment and the injuries which led to their harm and losses, and they may not experience severe symptoms until days, weeks, or even months after their adjustment.

At The Becker Law Firm, our team closely investigates the circumstances surrounding our client’s injuries to determine how and when their underlying condition occurred, and whether there are grounds to pursue legal action against a liable party. In medical malpractice cases, this often requires collaboration with relevant experts – including medical and chiropractic specialists – who can help determine what happened, and whether treating professionals failed in some manner to meet accepted standards.