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Liability for participating in or running an alternative medicine internet forum.

Asked over 2 years ago - Atlanta, GA

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I'm a member of an internet forum about a specific mindbody approach to chronic pain (and other symptoms). The approach was first discovered by John Sarno, MD, who called the condition that he was attempting to treat "TMS."

People regularly pop up on this discussion forum and ask whether what they have could be TMS. Frequently, many people will respond that it is "just TMS" and that they should stop worrying so much about hurting themselves and think about what emotional issues might be causing their pain. People often post about remarkable recoveries that they have made.

The address of the forum is http://tmshelp.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2 . It has been around for about a decade.

By participating in this, am I exposing myself to legal liability? Is the owner?

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Attorney answers (1)

Daniel Jon Woodring

Reputation Level 12

Answered over 2 years ago. Education Law Attorney in Tallahassee, FL.

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This answer is not specific legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney client relationship. Generally, the owner of a forum would have immunity from materials others posted, unless he is in effect vouching for the veracity of those materials. Participants in the forum would have the same liability issues as they would with any published information, such as exposure to defamation claims or in some circumstances perhaps unlicensed practice of medicine, etc. So there may be legal liability for participants, but if it is clear that these are just lay opinions characterized as such- not likely to be significant.

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