Making a Malpractice Claim Against a Chiropractor

[Antares]

I had a car accident (was rear-ended, the other driver was at fault) and had a neck injury. I saw this chiropractic after the accident, he took initial report and treated me for a couple of months. I didn't know at the time that he was an alcoholic. He treated me when he was under the influence and his hands were shaking so much that he could hardly find my neck. At one time he jerked my neck too hard and it started to hurt more that it hurt before (he might of done some damage to it). He also was negligent in not advising me to have x-rays taken (I ended up taking x-rays a year later on the advise of another chiropractic, and they showed permanent damage to my neck). Besides, the alcoholic chiropractic made appointments with me many times and when I showed up for my appointments he would not be there, and he would not return my calls. On top of that, he never sent any reports or bills to my insurance company. He finally ended up in jail for a few months on a felony charge related to alcohol (which had nothing to do with me). He is out of jail now but he can't find my records to send to my insurance company.

He screwed up my insurance case and I feel he did damage to my neck too. He does not have any assets so I can't sue him. My question is: How can I find his malpractice insurance information? (I have his license #, DOB, SS#). And can I file the claim with his malpractice insurance to recover the damage he did to me? I am in California.

[deadlock]

You may obtain assistance with the

Board of Chiropractic Examiners
2525 Natomas Park Drive
Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95833

Telephone: (916) 263-5355
Fax: (916) 263-5369
CA Relay Service TT/TDD: (800) 735-2929
Consumer Complaint Hotline: (866) 543-1311

[Mr. Knowitall]

You find out his malpractice carrier by either asking him, or by suing him and getting the information in discovery.

[Antares]

Deadlock, thank you for answering. I already filed a claim with this organization long time ago, and they say ALL they can do is take his license away. They don't have any information about his malpractice insurance and they don't assist anybody in recovering financial damages.

This chiropractor would not give me his malpractice insurance information. And he is still not functioning normally, he is avoiding my calls.

[Antares]

Can somebody tell me how I can find his malpractice insurance information without taking him to court? I've heard that I can just file a claim directly with his insurance without taking him to court.