Randall C. Monroe obtained a not guilty verdict in a chiropractic malpractice case.
Randall C. Monroe tried a chiropractic malpractice case from August 10 through August 16, 2012, and obtained a not guilty verdict on behalf of his chiropractor client. The plaintiff sought treatment from the defendant chiropractor for neck and shoulder pain, and was treated during eight visits in September and October, 2007. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant performed a cervical spine adjustment during his last visit without prior notice and with specific instruction not to manipulate the cervical spine. According to the plaintiff, at the time of the adjustment he experienced immediate and severe neck pain, and his left arm went numb. An MRI performed a week after treatment showed a disc herniation at C5-C6, which led to a discectomy and cervical fusion surgery at C5-C6. The defense argued that the plaintiff’s disc herniation was present before he came under the care of the defendant, and was the result of longstanding degenerative disc disease. Further, the chiropractic treatment provided was appropriate, and the plaintiff’s neck pain improved while he was under the defendant’s care. The defense claimed last visit was uneventful, and the plaintiff reported feeling better after the last treatment. The plaintiff’s attorney had requested an award of $363,000 from the jury.