Jonathan Buckelew’s life changed forever after a routine chiropractor visit in 2015. The neck adjustment left him dizzy and unresponsive. Rushed to a Georgia hospital, doctors failed to spot his severe brain stem stroke in time.
This delay caused locked-in syndrome, a rare condition leaving Jonathan conscious but unable to move or speak, except through eye movements. “Jonathan was having a stroke and they missed it,” his lawyer Lloyd Bell said, calling the tragedy “completely avoidable.”
A jury ruled two doctors were grossly negligent for misreading scans and failing to follow stroke protocols. Jonathan was awarded $75 million to cover medical costs and lifelong care. Despite the huge sum, his family says it can’t replace the life he lost.
His parents now care for him at home, transforming their house into a mini-ICU. “It breaks our heart to see him like this,” said his father, Jack. They focus on keeping Jonathan as happy as possible, despite daily challenges. Appeals against the verdict are ongoing.
