BY: LITIGATION DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton chiropractor is facing a lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court after she allegedly burned a patient while photographing him for an advertisement.
According to the complaint obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, and published in its entirety below, Christian Avellaneda claims that Chiropractor Sara Levine burned him — causing serious injury — while simultaneously treating him and photographing him for an advertisement. From the complaint:
“On November 15, 2021, CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA presented for treatment with LEVINE at a facility operated by ANODYNE OF BOCA RATON d/b/a VHW MEDICAL GROUP, LLC.
Prior to scheduling the November 15, 2021 appointment, upon LEVINE’s request, CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA agreed to serve as a “back model” for LEVINE, and agreed to be photographed while LEVINE rendered care, presumably for LEVINE to utilize and market her services and to provide social media content. LEVINE performed chiropractic treatments on CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA which included manual therapy via cupping and scraping, along with chiropractic manipulation and electrotherapy (TENS).
Electrodes were placed on CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA’s back in various locations before the TENS machine was started. LEVINE was negligent as she did not assess or clean CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA’s skin prior to applying electrode pads and a TENS unit for treatment. LEVINE failed to appropriately cleanse or prepare Plaintiff for electrotherapy by failing to sanitize, clean or remove any and all substances including, but not limited to, oils from Mr.
Avellaneda’s back prior to the placement of the electrodes.
After a few minutes of TENS treatment, CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA reported he felt a burning sensation and asked the attendant to deactivate the TENS machine.As a result of LEVINE’s negligent treatment of CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA at VHW, he suffered full thickness burns to his back which subsequently required surgical intervention.”
The suit seeks in excess of $30,000, the statutory minimum for filing in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The suit also alleges the following:
“As a direct and proximate cause of aforementioned breaches of the recognized standard of care, Plaintiff, CHRISTIAN AVELLANEDA, suffered bodily injury, resulting pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, mental anguish, inconvenience, aggravation of preexisting disease or defect, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, rehabilitative expenses, extraordinary expenses and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. These losses are continuing in nature and Plaintiff will suffer these losses in the future. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment plus costs and interest for damages against Defendant, LEVINE, and further demands trial by jury.” Read the complete suit here. We note a lawsuit is an allegation.
