With immense skepticism by carriers against all neck injuries, Dr. Lewkovich helps us look at cervical injuries for the enormous damages trauma can cause. Have a look of symptoms that can wreck havoc in a patient’s life.

4. Jaw pain/Locking/ Pop
   TMD and or direct trauma to the face with long term residuals.
5. Blurred vision
   Injury to sympathetic nervous system, brain injury or vascular compromise. compromise, vestibular injury or brain trauma;
6. Photophobia
   Brain injury and sympathetic nervous system;
7. Digestive disorders
   Adverse reaction to medications; post traumatic stress reactions, trauma to the vagus nerve and secondary effects of post traumatic vertigo.
8. Upper back pain/stiffness
   Muscle spasms, referred pain, ligament tears, disc pathology.

Again avoid terms that have lose all value such as “sprain/strain”.

When you are more specific as to the injury and the residual long term problems colossus must give a higher value to your patient’s case.

Part of this article comes from PI Review by
Gary Lewkovich DC. Contact us for a full copy at Johntawlian@shawnsteel.com

Annette Buell never believed she could lose a simple rear end case. She was lawfully stopped when struck by Collins who promptly admitted it was his fault.

When she went to court claiming she had a $1000 for car damage and medicals over $6000. Her attorney demanded $25,000. The defense offered only $5000.

The jury didn’t believe Annette got hurt and found for defendant Collins. Four prominent doctors testified for Annette. Only one orthopedist testified for defense. The jury believe the orthopedist, and gave a zero verdict.

But the story isn’t over. The greedy defense attorneys got the judge to give them an award for $11,182 in costs that Annette, not her attorney has to pay in full.

The key reason is that Annette waited 49 days before she sought care. Gap in care cases are usually fatal.

Buell vs. Collins, San Bernardino Sup Ct VCIVS 0300052 Judge Kurt Lewin Nov 14, 2005.

Workers Comp and PI together:
What does a DC do?

Dr. Herman asked us a good question recently. Even with the limitations of Workers Comp, if the case is “accepted” by the w/c carrier isn’t it still better.

We agree using w/c insurance first will accelerate the cash flow. The PI attorney cannot move on his case until the w/c case is closed, which takes more time than most PI cases.

If you are in a hurry to “full” settlement avoiding w/c is better. But to get faster payment, while the patient is treating w/c billing direct works best.