In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of patients who are seeking natural remedies for ailments, ranging from depression to cancer and everything in between, rather than more traditional avenues, like surgery and prescription drugs. To meet patient demand, there has also been an increase in the number of naturopaths - or those who call themselves naturopaths - in both Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. While naturopathy is a great alternative to traditional medicine and should be recognized as such, prior to legislation signed in 2016 in Pennsylvania, nearly anyone could call themselves a naturopath doctor, and actual naturopaths - who went to school and received certification - didn’t have to register with the state. The new Pennsylvania law will change all that.
Governor Tom Wolf Signs Bill Mandating that Naturopaths Register with the State According to an article published by TRIB LIVE, the new Pennsylvania law will do two primary things:
Naturopathic.org describes naturopathy as a combination of “traditonal healing methods, principles and practices” and “holistic, proactive prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.” Naturopathy turns to the body’s own system and ability for healing, often incorporating natural remedies, such as healthy diet, exercise, stress management techniques, and the use of supplements. Rather than treating a condition (for example, diabetes) with medication, a naturopath may instead try to find the root cause of the diabetes (like a diet high in processed foods and sugar), and then treat the root cause. Naturopaths, just like doctors, need to go through an accredited program in order to register with the state of Pennsylvania. The law specifically requires that naturopaths in Pennsylvania complete a program of at least 4,100 hours, and pass a licensing exam. There are multiple universities throughout the country that offer naturopathic programs. There are currently 18 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that regulate naturopath doctors. A Great Step for Naturopaths and Their Patients The law is a wonderful step forward for both naturopaths and their patients; prior to the passing of the law (which will go in effect in January of 2018), nearly anyone could call themselves a naturopath, although many had only taken a six-week long online course. The new law will provide actual naturopaths with a job market and the ability to treat patients, and will help to protect patients from treatment from doctors who aren’t actually registered. The legislation was supported by the Pennsylvania Medical Society. What’s Next for Naturopaths and Regulations in Pennsylvania? While the law is certainly a step in the right direction, many people would like to see more changes to the law in the future. For example, requiring naturopaths to participate in continuing education courses, licensing naturopaths rather than just requiring them to register (which provides more oversight), and requiring naturopaths to carry medical malpractice insurance. Medical malpractice insurance, and the requirement to carry it, is of particular interest. Because naturopaths often act as doctors, it makes sense that, in the event they commit an act of negligence, they should be held liable for a patient’s harm. But without medical malpractice insurance, paying a patient the damages they deserve could prove very difficult (the naturopath would have to pay for the claim out of pocket, which many may be unable to do). While naturopaths may not be licensed in the state of Pennsylvania, they do owe patients a duty of care, and often prescribe remedies for ailments. Sometimes, these remedies are unwise, and other times, they are downright dangerous for a patient. Consider the case of a Carson City naturopath doctor who failed to diagnose their patient with cancer, ultimately leading to the death of the patient. (Read more about the story at ScienceBlogs.com). In addition to a lack of diagnosis, another type of medical malpractice that could be committed by a naturopath and affect a patient is a lack of appropriate treatment of a serious condition. Some people do not believe that medical malpractice insurance should be required for naturopaths, as these doctors are not actually practicing “medicine.” However, naturopaths are indeed practicing a type of medicine, alternative thought it may be, and the risk of error is real, and could have serious consequences for a patient. What Should I Do If I Have Been Harmed by the Actions of a Naturopath? Pennsylvania’s new law is great - there should be requirements for naturopaths to call themselves such, and naturopaths should have to register with the state in order to protect patients. What’s more, the state should absolutely recognize forms of alternative medicine, as traditional treatment approaches may not be appropriate for or desired by all patients. If harm does occur, though, the patient needs to take action against the naturopath just as they would a doctor. Further, the elements of a claim against a naturopath mirror those of the elements against a physician: Proving that a duty of care existed between naturopath and patient, establishing that the duty of care was breached, and proving that had the breach not occurred, the patient would not have suffered harm. And, just like a medical malpractice claim, a person who has suffered at the hands of a naturopath has the right to seek compensation for all of their injuries, both economic and noneconomic. Call Our Law Firm Today At the law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., we are excited about the new law and hope that it will help to keep patients safe in our state. However, we also realize that regulations or not, errors and negligence do happen, and patients do suffer as a result. If you seek naturopathic medicine and suffer harm as a result of your practitioner's negligence, please contact our law offices for a free case consultation to learn more about how we can represent you during your claim for compensation. Contact us online or by phone today!
0 Comments
Spinal cord and brain injuries are due in large part to sports-related injuries in teenagers and kids. Although fatalities from sports are not common, the leading cause of death from sports injuries is traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although an injury such as these can happen in any sport at any time, there are some that have a higher risk such as football, soccer, baseball/softball, cycling, and skiing/snowboarding.
Head Injuries Serious TBI’s are a result of trauma to the head or neck region that causes the brain to bruise, tear, swell and even bleed. There are two types of brain injuries; open, means the skull has been fractured from a fall in direct contact with a hard surface or object, and closed, which is oftentimes more serious due to the brain swelling and forming of blood clots inside the skull. The most serious type of head injury results in paralysis, loss of consciousness, and even death. If your child or someone you know has experienced a head injury that you believe someone else may be at fault for, consult an experienced brain injury attorney to help protect your rights. Common Head Injuries Bruising: A common injury resulting from a force moving the brain forward and then backward, or vice versa in a jarring motion such as heading a ball too hard in soccer or getting knocked by another helmet in football. The force can cause bruising in some areas and even bleeding in others. Tearing: In some instances, the force in a collision can cause tearing to the brain. Similar to small cracks in a wall, the nerve system of the brain is damaged and can cause impairment of bodily functions depending on the area where it occurs. Swelling: The body’s natural healing processes cause swelling, which can happen by itself or in conjunction with either injury listed above. Swelling to the brain is highly dangerous due to the fact that there is no room for the brain to migrate when it begins to swell, causing intra cranial pressure that can cause severe impairment of body functions and even death. Symptoms of Head Injuries Head injuries are hard to diagnose at first due to sometimes not having serious symptoms. Because there are no visual indications of a serious injury to the brain, it’s important to pay attention to a victim’s behavior and health to evaluate a victim’s potential for brain injury. Common symptoms include:
Spinal Cord Injuries Although spinal cord injuries are not as common as other injuries sustained by athletes, they are often far more catastrophic and serious. Cervical spine (C-spine) injuries are common with contact sports such as football, hockey, rugby, and wrestling. Injuries occur in all levels of play, from high school to professional and although serious injuries are infrequent, most are self-limited. Spinal cord injuries are divided into two categories: incomplete, the cord is only partially severed, allowing the injured person to retain some function, and complete, where the cord is fully severed, eliminating function. If you, your child, or someone you know has sustained an injury to the spinal cord caused by another person or organization, a spinal cord attorney may be able to help you protect and fight for your rights. Common Spinal Cord Injuries Brachial Plexus Injuries: An injury to the brachial plexus nerve network may cause weakness, loss of feeling/movement in the shoulder, arm or hand. The injury is caused when the arm is forcibly pull or stretched. This system of nerves begins at the neck and then crosses the chest to the armpit and normally heals without treatment. Sever injuries may require surgery to regain function to the arm or hand if need be. Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis: Defects of a vertebra’s spondylolysis and the slippage of one vertebra in relation to another (spondylolisthesis) are common injuries to athletes in sports such as gymnastics due to the hyperextension of the spine. These injuries may include special imaging studies at the doctor such as a bone or CT scan in order to confirm diagnosis. Recovery for such an injury often includes a period of rest, ice, medication and specific exercises, similar to that for regular sprains and strains. Herniated Disk or Bulging Disk: A relatively common injury in the field of sports and although the injury differs slightly depending on which section of the spine they occur, the outcomes are the same. This injury occurs when there is a tear in the outer portion of the disc with the nucleus pulposus material oozing from the disk. A worst-case scenario results in neurological symptoms including weakness, burning, numbness, and tingling in the associated nerve pathway. The treatment for such an injury is commonly rest, immobilization in a cervical collar, activity modification, and medication. Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries Anyone who has experienced significant trauma to your back or spine should seek medical attention and evaluation immediately. An injury isn’t always recognized immediately and may become more severe as time goes on. The following symptoms are signs of a spinal cord injury:
Pursuing a Legal Claim for Spinal Cord and Head Injuries If your child has suffered an injury to the head or spinal cord, you may be entitled to a legal remedy for your incident. Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney is the best way to protect your rights. Any and all sports hold the possibility of an injury to the head or spinal cord, so be sure to prioritize your child’s safety. A injury lawyer can help you open an investigation as to whether or not negligence was involved in the accidents and the possibility to help pursue a claim against a school, coach, player, or municipal body. |
AuthorCPR Law Archives
October 2016
Categories |