A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE: BACK PAIN
ONE OF AMERICA’S LEADING
HEALTH CARE ISSUES.
Car insurance
carriers routinely dismiss back pain as a subjective non problem.
Today’s PI specialist need to use word pictures that better
describe the specific type of back pain the trauma patient
suffers. No two back complaints are the same. Gary Macfarlane, of
Aberdeen U in UK states “In many patients, this back pain gets
better within three months of the initial visit. However, up to
50 percent of patients continue to have pain and disability after
this time”Primary causes for back pain are:
 | Spondylosis: Arthritis caused by degenerative changes in
the spine |
With trauma causes great pain
 | Spoldylitis: Chronic back pain and stiffness caused by
severe infection or inflammation of the spinal joints |
Again, with trauma a debilitating injury
 | Herniated Disc: Disc material bulges and puts pressure on
a nerve. Can lead to permanent nerve damage. |
Often asymptomatic but after trauma a serious medical issue.
 | Sciatica: Burning, stabbing pain that goes down the leg as
far as the foot. |
Clear evidence of a herniated disc in the lumbar region.
 | Spinal stenosis: Due to arthritis, a narrowing of the
space around the spinal cord that can result in the nerve
getting squeezed |
Excellent means describing specific injuries.
 | Osteoporosis: Loss of bone density can lead to weak bones
and fractures of the vertebrae |
Dangerous pre existing condition that lead to bad diagnostic
analysis. |
Practice
Tip: If your patient suffers any one of these conditions, the PI
case becomes much more credible and important justifying care
****************************************
Be aware … of the No Police Report case
Lillian was minding her own business when Brooke allegedly
turned left into her lane of traffic striking Lillian’s car.
Defendant Brooke claimed that Lillian caused the accident because
Lillian should have been more attentive. Brooke claimed that when
she made the turn she moved safely into her lane of traffic. One
word against another.
Plaintiff Lillian incurred $3,799 in chiropractic care and claim
$7,000 more in pain.
There was no police report or any
witnesses. Be aware….
The jury awarded zero dollars. They believed Lillian did not
provide the burden of proof to justify any award.
Martin vs. Dworzan Orange Co Sup Court 05 CL 050 57, March 8 2006
, Judge Peter J. Polos
For a copy of this
case e-mail:
johntawlian@shawnsteel.com
SHAWN STEEL’S SPEAKING SCHEDULE: All DC’s always invited
CCA-CHIROPRACTIC DISTRICTS
PI Reports that Pay: Everything you wanted to know.
 | San Gabriel Nov. 01, 2006 |
 | LA Southwest Nov. 02, 2006 |
 | LA Metro Nov. 08, 2006 |
 | North Bay Nov. 15, 2006 |
 | Alameda Feb. 15, 2007 |
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