Can an Acupuncturist Leave Needles in a Patient? Learn More about Acupuncture Mistakes and What You Can Do about Acupuncture Malpractice in New York City
It sounds too gruesome to even be true: a man goes home after an acupuncture appointment, only to discover that the acupuncturist that treated him did not do a proper needle count and left needles in his body. However, the truth of the matter is that such incidents – acupuncture mistakes – can and do happen and acupuncture patients experience acupuncture mistakes just like other medical patients can experience medical malpractice. One well-known case from Oregon demonstrates these scary and potentially life-threatening mistakes all too-well. According to national news reports, the Washington Times, in 2015 a Portland, Oregon man went home with acupuncture needles still allegedly left in his leg, which led to a life of debilitating pain, loss of the ability to walk normally, and the loss of his job.
Robert Shipp went home from the acupuncturist just like any other day back in 2015, except this time he still felt several needles in his skin. Shipp had started acupuncture for pain he was experiencing as a result of a car accident. Shipp decided to remove one of the needles he suspected was left over from the acupuncture session, but the other needle broke off and embedded into his pelvis. As a result of the embedded needle under his skin, Shipp is said to have been “bedridden for months” and continued to have trouble walking. He also claimed that he lost his job as a result of the alleged acupuncture mistake. Ultimately, Shipp filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in court for $2.5 million in pain and suffering damages and $650,000 in damages for his family’s loss of his companionship. Of the lawsuit, attorney and Vice President of the American Acupuncture Council, Mike Schroeder said, “We are not aware of any proof that the metal object in question is an acupuncture needle…Since 1986, when the American Acupuncture Council was formed, there has never been a recorded case of an acupuncture needle breaking into pieces…You can bend them many, many times and they don’t break.”
Also, sometimes acupuncturists are not as skilled as they claim to be when inserting needles. We recently had a client receive acupuncture to relieve her back pain, only to find out that a needle accidentally puncture her lung. Despite the client’s complaints, the therapist didn’t recognize the injury and sent her patient home. It was only as she was walking home and collapsed in the street when she was transported by ambulance to the Emergency Room which diagnosed the severity of her injuries and saved her life.
Legal Help for Victims of Acupuncture Mistakes in New York City – New York City Acupuncture Mistakes Lawyer
As the case of Robert Shipp demonstrates, acupuncture mistakes can and do happen, and victims of acupuncture mistakes may have rights and options to compensation under state laws. In New York City, victims of serious acupuncture mistakes may be entitled to money compensation for their injuries and losses caused by negligent acupuncturists. There is a limited time to bring a claim in New York City for an acupuncture mistake, so do not hesitate to speak with an experienced New York City acupuncture mistake lawyer as soon as possible after a serious acupuncture mistake occurs.
The experienced New York City acupuncture mistake lawyers at the law firm of Michael Gunzburg, P.C. are here to help victims of acupuncture mistakes in New York City get compensation due under New York laws. Contact the law firm of Michael Gunzburg, P.C. today and speak with an experienced acupuncturist lawyer about your case today.
Source:
washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/15/lawsuit-man-hurt-by-leftover-acupuncture-needle-se/
