Connecticut Governor Signs Into Law Public Reporting of Chiropractor Malpractice

Chiropractor insurance companies will now be forced to report all malpractice claims to Connecticut's Insurance Commissioner.

Westville, CT (PRWEB) June 14, 2007 -- Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed into law SB-249 (Public Act No. 07-25) which would - for the first time in Connecticut - make chiropractor malpractice records public information. This follows unanimous approval by both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly.

"This is a historic event for patients' rights here in Connecticut," said Janet Levy, President of Victims of Chiropractic Abuse which sought the legislation. "No longer will chiropractor malpractice be shielded from public view."

The new law will require insurance companies to inform the state Insurance Commissioner whenever there has been a settled malpractice claim so that the information can be published for the public to make informed decisions about picking a chiropractor, just as been the case for years regarding medical doctors. The law will go into effect October 1st.

"Our next goal is the enactment of informed consent legislation," Ms. Levy said. "It is crucial that people be told the risks before agreeing to chiropractic treatment, especially the fact that a stroke can potentially occur weeks or months after manipulation of the neck."

Levy suffered a stroke after chiropractic manipulation of her neck five years ago. Like most other people she believed chiropractic to be a "safe" and "natural" alternative - as advertised - and was totally unaware that it involved any serious risks at all. She founded VOCA after discovering there are hundreds of others who have also been severely injured by chiropractic treatment.

For more information call 203-982-4575

About Victims of Chiropractic Abuse, Inc:
Victims of Chiropractic Abuse, Inc. (VOCA) was incorporated in May of 2005 to promote awareness of chiropractic risks through advocacy and legislation. VOCA seeks to require chiropractors to obtain informed consent from patients prior to treatment and believes malpractice claims against chiropractic physicians should be made public, just as they are for medical physicians.

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