A troubling lawsuit has been filed against a chiropractor in Ventura County, California, accusing him of violating the Unruh Civil Rights Act, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. On February 20, 2025, April Tackett lodged a complaint in the Superior Court of California against Mark Algee and his practice, Mark Algee DC De-Stress Chiropractic, LLC.
The complaint alleges that Tackett began receiving chiropractic treatment from Algee in 2019 due to chronic back pain. Over the years, she visited his office for adjustments whenever her pain flared up. However, on September 14, 2023, during what was supposed to be a routine visit for chiropractic care, Tackett claims that Algee's behavior took an alarming turn. According to the lawsuit, Algee’s adjustments were unusually aggressive and physically jolting. After one session where she lost consciousness unexpectedly and awoke to find Algee sitting uncomfortably close to her, Tackett's trust began to wane.
The complaint further details how Algee allegedly provided Tackett with a bottle of Perrier water with its cap already removed before leaving her alone in the examination room. Upon his return and subsequent treatments that caused severe discomfort and pain rated at a "10/10" on her pain scale, Tackett alleges that Algee offered to massage her shoulder blade. Despite never having received massage therapy from him before but desperate for relief from the pain, she agreed. The situation escalated when Algee reportedly kissed the back of her neck multiple times without consent while she lay exposed on the table.
In addition to these accusations of unwanted physical contact amounting to battery under California law—defined as harmful or offensive touching without consent—the lawsuit also accuses Algee of being intoxicated during these incidents. It is alleged that he confessed his drunkenness post-assault while blocking her exit from the room.
Tackett seeks compensatory damages for economic losses and emotional distress resulting from these events. She also demands punitive damages due to what she describes as willful misconduct by both Algee individually and his practice collectively. The complaint highlights violations under California Civil Code section 51.9 (Unruh Civil Rights Act), which prohibits sexual harassment within professional relationships such as doctor-patient interactions.
Represented by attorney Max R. Engelhardt from Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP—a firm based out of Ventura—Tackett hopes this legal action will hold those responsible accountable for their actions while preventing similar occurrences in future professional settings involving vulnerable patients like herself.
This case is presided over by Judge Nicktep Fl at Ventura County’s Superior Court under Case No: 2027S CUICRO28o25; however specific amounts sought through compensation remain unspecified pending further proceedings.