The purpose of chiropractic liability insurance for DCs

Chiropractic liability insurance will protect your practice and livelihood, ensure your employees’ financial stability and support your desire to help patients improve their quality of life.

It is imperative your chiropractic practice is properly protected by chiropractic liability insurance. You no doubt have taken steps to establish and future-proof your practice, such as furthering your education, honing your skills, embracing new technologies and working hard to prioritize your patients.

Unfortunately, it can all change in a moment. Someone slips on a bit of water in your office and hurts themselves, a patient has a negative reaction to a treatment or an expensive piece of equipment fails unexpectedly. No matter what it is, a catastrophic event can spell disaster for your practice if you are not protected by chiropractic liability insurance.

Consider the investment

To protect yourself and your practice in the event of an unfortunate incident, you should familiarize yourself with and consider investing in liability insurance. Many DCS can find the topic of insurance a bit overwhelming. It is outside their comfort zone, and the sheer amount of information can also be intimidating.

This article will help simplify the conversation about chiropractic liability insurance and equip you with the knowledge you need to move forward with confidence.

General chiropractic liability insurance

The first and potentially most important thing to understand about chiropractic liability insurance is there are two primary forms of coverage: 1. general liability insurance and 2. professional liability insurance. Ideally, your policy will include both.

The first of these — general liability insurance — is often referred to as “slip and fall” insurance. This title paints an accurate depiction of the intended use of this form of coverage. Unlike malpractice insurance, general liability insurance covers incidents not directly related to your work but that do occur on your property.

For example, if a patient were to fall in your parking lot, general liability insurance would protect you from any subsequent suits. Similarly, if you or someone employed by your practice accidentally damages a client’s property, your general liability insurance will cover the financial responsibilities.

Professional chiropractic liability insurance

Lawsuits involving bodily injury and medical expenses can become very expensive very quickly. This is true whether the issue is caused by negligence or not. Often, chiropractors who find themselves in this position have done nothing wrong, but a patient has suffered, nonetheless.

If a client experiences an allergic reaction to something used in your office, believes your treatment has aggravated a preexisting injury or has a negative outcome following an adjustment, they may bring a claim against your practice.

Professional chiropractic liability insurance covers the vast majority of expenses related to cases like these, thereby protecting your finances, practice and reputation. In some states, this form of insurance is a prerequisite to practicing legally. Even if it is not required by your state, investing in professional chiropractic liability insurance is one of the wisest things you can do to protect your interests and your future.

Why you need chiropractic liability insurance

Leaving your practice exposed to potential lawsuits can have devastating consequences. Worse still, these outcomes are totally avoidable by investing in chiropractic liability insurance. With a truly comprehensive liability insurance plan, you can protect your practice from financial hardship and a weakened reputation.

It is not uncommon to adopt a mindset of “that could never happen to me.” But the reality is the unthinkable happens to undeserving people every day. Even if you do everything right and never make a mistake, you can still face expensive and damaging lawsuits.

Final thoughts

Equipping your chiropractic practice for immediate and long-term success requires more than a strong work ethic and professional skillset. In an unpredictable world, preparing your practice for the unknown is essential to preserving what you’ve built and the bright future you have. Investing in chiropractic liability insurance will protect your practice and livelihood, ensure your employees’ financial stability and support your desire to help patients improve their quality of life.

In the ever-changing landscapes of chiropractic technology, methodology and business, staying informed is essential. Embracing high-quality resources is also key to performing at a high level within the industry. For more chiropractic tips and knowledge, subscribe to Chiropractic Economics.