Chiropractors Claim Court Victory Against Infamous 'Quackbuster'
http://digital50.com/news/items/PR/2007/06/14/DCTH129/chiropractors-claim-court-victory-against-infamous-quackbuster.html
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., June 14 PRNewswire-USNewswire - In a
strongly worded opinion, the Appeals Court for the State of
Pennsylvania ruled against Stephen Barrett, a long-time critic of
chiropractic and alternative health care. In an action that
chiropractors see as a major setback for their nemesis, the judge
refused to overturn a 2005 decision against Barrett.
The earlier lawsuit was won by chiropractor Tedd Koren, DC, whose
company markets chiropractic educational pamphlets that Barrett had
harshly criticized.
In his newsletter, Dr. Koren referred to the self-proclaimed
"Quackbuster" as a "Quackpot" and commented that Barrett was
"de-licensed," and "in trouble." Barrett sued Koren for defamation and
lost the case.
Barrett, who represents himself as an expert on health care quackery,
has appeared as a medical expert in numerous court cases and claims
the FDA, FTC and other governmental agencies have consulted him on
health care issues. He is noted for his outspoken opposition to and
criticism of non-medical health care approaches, most of which he
labels "quackery." His targets have included chiropractic, homeopathy,
naturopathy, and even two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling.
Heading the legal team for the original Koren case and appeal was
Carlos Negrete, who serves as legal counsel for the World Chiropractic
Alliance (WCA).
"This is a great victory for the chiropractic profession," Koren
stated after the Pennsylvania Appellate Court decision was announced.
"Once again, chiropractors across the country have been vindicated and
exposed the specious and evil attacks by someone who has no knowledge
or expertise in our field."
Negrete specializes in representing alternative health care providers
who are targeted by advocates of the medical and pharmaceutical
industries. His previous court victories have positioned him as the
premier "health freedom" attorney in the US.
During heated and often dramatic courtroom proceedings, Negrete
pointed out many of the questionable statements Barrett includes on
his websites attacking chiropractic, as well as facts about Barrett's
own credentials that shocked even his supporters. Under Negrete's
intense cross-examination, Barrett admitted that he had not been a
licensed physician for more than a decade and had failed the
neurological exam, preventing him from being certified as a
specialist. Negrete demonstrated that, despite his claims, Barrett had
no real expertise in any medical field.
Barrett also admitted, under questioning, that he misrepresented
himself as a licensed physician in a previous court case.
"These revelations cast serious doubts about Barrett's credibility and
integrity and were major factors in the judge's decision," Negrete
stated.
Calling the case a "landmark decision" for chiropractors and
alternative care providers, Negrete noted that "Barrett has made a
career out of attacking core chiropractic values, specifically
subluxation, with no scientific basis for his contentions. This case
clearly shows that his opinions about chiropractic or other health
care options are irrelevant."
WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, DC, agreed with Negrete. "This is a
turning point not only for Barrett, but for all unscientific and
uninformed opponents who seek to impose the medical monopoly on the
public. People around the world deserve freedom of choice in health
care and need valid, unbiased and truthful information on all options
available to them. Thanks in great part to the WCA legal counsel,
Carlos Negrete, they now have a better chance of getting both."
The World Chiropractic Alliance - an international organization
representing doctors of chiropractic - promotes traditional, drug-free
and non-invasive chiropractic to correct vertebral subluxations. The
WCA is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) associated with the
United Nations Department of Public Information and publishes the
peer-reviewed chiropractic research journal, Journal of Vertebral
Subluxation Research. For more information, contact the WCA at
800-347-1011 or
http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.
SOURCE World Chiropractic Alliance