The family of a Georgia woman who was left paralyzed on her left side after a neck chiropractic is seeking to sue the chiropractor, who left town with her family after media scrutiny of him continued. get a raise.
The Daily mail TJ Harpham, 42, was spotted flying into Flint, Michigan from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport on Friday, with his wife Jennifer, 37, and their three children, a week after the news. news said his patient, 28 years old. -old Caitlin Jensen, paralyzed on her left side and in critical condition after a correction last month.
Jensen’s grandmother, Linda Foster, 72, told the paper that Dr Harpham had yet to contact Jensen’s family and had not issued an apology since Tuesday.
The family is considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit
Now, the family is considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, on the advice of her attorney, Foster said.
“He say [at the time of the incident] it does not have [happened before],” Foster told the Daily Mail. “
He has not contacted her or any of the family and we have not attempted to contact him at this time. It’s really all about her and what needs to be done.
I think [Caitlin’s mother] Darlene is reviewing a medical malpractice suit – I know she has been advised to do so.”
Meanwhile, Dr Harpham has remained tight-lipped about the incident and declined to make any comment before flying to his second home in Michigan, potentially escaping increased vehicle scrutiny. media he is facing in Georgia, where he practices at Richmond Hill Family Chiropractic.
“No, I have no comment. I have no comment on her or any of the other patients,” Dr Harpham told the magazine.
Long road to recovery ahead, family says
The incident has left Jensen in a hospital bed since her June 16 appointment, where she remained on Tuesday, as previously reported Shade room.
Foster added that her granddaughter will no doubt undergo aggressive physical therapy, and the family will have to retool the house to make her more accessible after correcting her concave neck.
“It’s just because we want people to know and we want to take care of Caitlin. It will be a life-changing event for her no matter her outcome. There will be physical therapy and they will have to retool their house – as now, she won’t even be able to enter the house with the steps at the back and front,” Foster said of her niece. mine.
Jensen originally signed up for treatment at Dr Harpham’s clinic after developing low back pain and aches in May as she studied for her final exams. Before that, she visited an orthopedist three times before an adjustment on June 16 left her paralyzed.
Foster said her granddaughter had never been to a chiropractor before being examined by Dr Harpham, and noted that the misalignment was believed to be her last appointment.
“She just graduated from college for the second time in May and she spent a lot of time studying for her final exams and so her neck feels tight and tired from it.” she speaks. “
She went to the doctor for low back pain – this was her last appointment. She has never been to a chiropractor in her life until now. “
Paralyzed after a routine chiropractor appointment due to a rare condition
Jensen suffered a stroke and cardiac arrest after adjustment, losing her pulse for ten minutes before doctors at Memorial Health stabilized her in the intensive care unit. Dr Harpham told Jensen’s family it was just a “reaction” to the treatment.
When doctors were able to stabilize Jensen, she was rushed into surgery, where they were shocked to learn all four arteries had been dissected. They were able to repair several tears and put a stent in an artery, according to the family’s GoFundMe.
A month later, Jensen is still in critical condition in the ICU at Memorial Hospital in Savannah. Relatives said the victim had suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Jensen is now conscious and can respond to verbal commands by blinking, as well as able to wiggle her toes on her left foot, however the rest of her body is numb. paralysis due to trauma. Her four dissected arteries, which produced symptoms of neck pain and headaches, prompted her to visit an orthopedist to try to alleviate the pain.
WJCL reports that Dr. Steve Ranicki, an orthopedic surgeon, said Jensen’s condition is extremely rare.
Her family is currently seeking financial help as her medical bills continue to grow, with GoFundMe raised $76,000 from a $250,000 goal on Tuesday.
