Chiropractor: Liability Insurance
26 November 2011
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In spite of all its prestige, the medical profession today has become extremely vulnerable because of the proliferation of litigation against medical professionals. Things are even worse with chiropractic. Since it is comparatively a new system, some people still view it with skepticism and even suspicion; and as more and more people move to its fold, its practitioners are becoming easy targets for litigation happy people. In fact malpractice and liability suit is being viewed as the greatest threat before the profession today. Courts are filled with cases against chiropractors and many more such cases are being settled out of the court at great financial cost to chiropractors. In these circumstances, liability insurance has become an absolute necessity for chiropractors.
Nature of Cases
Since a chiropractor manipulates spinal column and other joints, most of the cases involve complaints of worsening or dislocating a disc, lumbar or cervical and causing more pain than earlier. Not diagnosing properly and not referring in time are two other common complaints. The third most common complaint is sexual misconduct.
However, most patients who are dissatisfied with treatment, normally do not consider legal action unless their complaints are dismissed out of hand, or they treated rudely.They are less likely to take recourse to litigation if they have open relationship with their doctor and participate in their treatment as equals. Therefore, a chiropractor can avoid many problems if he establishes a lively relationship with his patients.
Insurance Options
However, sometimes we do get patients who are bent upon litigation for justifiable or unjustifiable reasons. Therefore, we really have no other option but to seek an insurance cover.
Insurance companies have come up with many policy options for chiropractors. There are basically two types of policies available in the market ñ occurrence and claims made. While deciding a policy option, you must ask for complete information about both and then make your decision.
You can also contact the American Chiropractic Associations Insurance Relations Department for the purpose. The department maintains an ongoing line of communication with a variety of insurers as a way to work through chiropractic related insurance problems. So, if you are an aspiring chiropractor, do have a liability insurance policy.
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