The Easy
Clean PI report : Part 4
4. Pre-existing Medical History
[usually omitted by most
Doctors]
 | Knowledge of the patient’s history shows the expertise of
the treating doctor. |
 | Sometimes patients are poor historians. |
 | But the doctor must be persistent. The patient must tell
you ANYTIME they were admitted for emergency care for any
reason. |
 | Ask the patient IF they every made a personal injury
claim. Nearly 100% of all patients had accidents, but most do
not choose to seek care. |
 | Ask the patient IF they ever made a workers comp claim.
|
 | Ask if the patients was ever pr escribed any medication
and for what reasons. |
 | Caveat : Reports that say only “no pr ior traumas”, you
are asking for trouble if you are wrong. The insurance company
INDEX BUREAU might have a complete set of records of pr ior
claims. You are blamed for the omission. |
 | The more thorough you are the more credible is your
report. |
 | Plus pr ior conditions, that are UNRESOLVED usually HELP
your PI case, justifying more care. |
THE LESSON: Insurance companies’
adjusters look for omissions to attack the treating doctor’s
credibility. The more forthcoming you are on the pr e existing
history….the better quality is your PI report.
For copies of Parts 1, 2 and 3 please email John Tawlian at
JohnTawlian@Shawnsteel.com |
Nice Win in Palm Desert
Tom Swearenger ran a red light, impacting the front
of Arturo Lopez car. Lopez a pool contractor saw Dr. Ken Blake of
Palm Desert . Dr. Blake diagnosed more than just spinal problems.
He also found pain in the wrist and ribs.
Lopez’s car damage was $7,558. Combined medicals were over
$9000 plus loss of earnings.
Irvin Gettlemen MD an orthopedic surgeon testified for
defense.
The jury awarded Lopez $43,604 because of the chiro pr actor’s
testimony. Congratulations to Dr. Ken Blake, DC.
Lopez v Swearenger Riverside Superior Ct IN C 025 789, Oct
18, 2006
THE LESSON: Defense ortho’s are not more
credible than the treating DC. Thorough explanation of
injuries result in larger awards.
Have a look at our web site how to
collect on your PI liens in 3 easy steps.
WWW.SHAWNSTEEL.COM
Annual P.I. Seminar
Topic: Under-diagnosed Spinal Injuries
Faculty: Mark Schnitzer MD Neuro Surgeon
Former Assistant-Chief-of-Service Johns Hopkins University and
Shawn Steel
Location : Hilton Los Angeles Airport
5711 W. Century Blvd.
Los Angeles , CA 90045
Date : March 31, 2007 Saturday from
8:00 am until to 5:00 pm
Re-licensure Credit requested, Co-Sponsored with the CCA
Earn a certificate Specialist Spinal Injuries
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Call and Participate in live talk with
Shawn about current PI issues. Look for the announcement soon
|