Malpractice in Alternative Medicine: Understanding Your Legal Options
Given the cost of medical care and a lack of access to health insurance, it’s no surprise that many people in Brooklyn, NY, turn to alternative or complementary medicine for relief. You may even have friends who speak about the positive experiences they’ve had with acupuncture, homeopathy, or Reiki.
But when someone is injured by an alternative therapy, can they sue for negligence?
We’ve explored many types of medical malpractice cases over the years, but we’d like to weigh in on these kinds of incidents.
Examples of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identifies four separate domains for alternative medicine: biologically-based practices, energy medicine, manipulation and body-based methods, and mind-body medicine.
Some examples of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) include:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
- Qigong
- Reiki
Some medical professionals may recommend alternative therapies as a supplement to traditional medical care. We have to point out that alternative medicine is not bad in and of itself. Worry arises when practitioners of alternative therapies in Brooklyn act irresponsibly.
Potential Harm From Alternative Medicine and Therapies
While alternative medicine and complementary therapies can be helpful for mental wellness and some forms of pain relief, the people who practice these healing arts are often not licensed or recognized by any medical organizations. Their training may be dubious, as can their promises about the health benefits of treatment.
The main cause of concern arises when seeking alternative care for serious illnesses and chronic diseases. There is a lack of proper research into the efficacy of these alternative therapies. Worse, some people who practice alternative medicine are simply preying on desperate individuals who are looking for legitimate help.
Can I Sue an Alternative Medicine Practitioner for Medical Negligence?
In many cases, the answer is no.
The people who offer alternative therapies are not doctors themselves or trained medical professionals. There are also no federal regulatory boards for alternative medicine that provide a well-defined standard of care.
You May Still Be Able to Seek Legal Action
While you may not be able to sue an alternative medicine practitioner for medical malpractice, you still may be able to file a lawsuit for negligence, fraud, or causing bodily injury. It really depends on the nature of what happened.
Why You Need a Lawyer in These Kinds of Cases
There are many complexities to consider when it comes to negligence cases. Just evaluating if you have a case could require someone with a proper legal background.
Zucker & Regev has operated in Brooklyn since 1984. During this time, we have represented many clients in accident and medical malpractice cases. We can evaluate your case and let you know if you have grounds for a lawsuit against the alternative medicine practitioner.
Talk to Our Legal Team About What Happened
If you or a loved one has been injured, get a professional case review from our law firm. Contact our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers today to tell us your story. We are here to offer our insight and help you understand what steps you can take next.