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Organic Basis for the Pain Associated with Soft Tissue Injuries

A recent study published in Spine, “Acute Injuries to Cervical Joints: An Autopsy Study of Neck Sprain,” by J.R. Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., and L.T. Twomey, Ph.D., establishes an organic basis for pain-associated cervical soft tissue injuries not visible on standard radiography. Since the objective of this study was to search for cervical soft tissue injuries…
Chiropractic and Medicine: Re-evaluating Professional Relationships

There appears to be a conspicuous attitude change between chiropractic and medical practitioners. The words of Leon Wiltse, M.D., delivered in his 1985 presidential address to the North American Spine Society, may best express the changing attitude of medical doctors: Perhaps we can take a lesson from this in dealing with spinal manipulation. The explanation…
Open and Closed Traumatic Head Injuries

Over 1.4 million individuals sustain traumatic brain injuries each year in the United States. Between 400,000 and 500,000 of these head injuries are severe enough to require hospitalization annually. The financial cost of the diagnostic and rehabilitative/medical programs for traumatic head injury is estimated to be 3.9 billion dollars per year. The cost to society…
Update: Can an MD Evaluate the Necessity of Chiropractic Care?

In February 1992, we authored an article entitled “Can A Medical Doctor Evaluate The Reasonableness And Necessity Of Chiropractic Care — A Look At Washington Law.” In that article, we stated that based upon our reading of two Washington statutes, a licensed medical doctor appears to be prohibited from engaging in the practice of chiropractic…
Report Writing: The Unwritten Rules

Much has been written about the importance of well documented records in meeting the needs of the patient, provider, insurer, and patient’s attorney in the area of personal injury and insurance law. Good documentation provides clear information of the care given to a patient; records the progress of treatment; enables the doctor to substantiate opinions…
Long Term Prognosis of Soft Tissue Injuries of the Neck

“Physical findings after whiplash … are seldom commensurate with the severity of symptoms experienced and the findings are gone months before the symptoms abate.” M. Hohl, M.D., Soft Tissues of the Neck, Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research, No. 109, p. 42 (June 1975) When a patient who has suffered soft tissue neck injury in an…
Mitigation: The Importance of Patient Compliance with Treatment

In Washington, one who is injured through the negligence or recklessness of another is entitled to certain rights, including reasonable and necessary health care treatment. The injured party, however, also has a duty to “mitigate” damages. “Mitigation of damages” means that the injured person must take “reasonable” steps to lessen or reduce one’s damages or…
How to Handle the Patient’s Attorney and Subpoenas

Fair resolution of personal injury cases headed toward mediation, deposition, arbitration, or trial invariably depends upon the evidence provided by the treating health care professional. The plaintiff/patient’s lawyer knows that your testimony regarding your patient’s case history, examination findings, diagnosis, treatment, causation, and prognosis will be crucial. The attorney will likely require your oral testimony…
How to Reduce Your Automobile Insurance Costs: Shop Around

As a law firm whose practice is devoted exclusively to personal injury cases and insurance issues, clients, friends, community members, and business associates often ask us which insurance company has the “best rates” for automobile insurance. The answer to this question depends on an individual’s specific concerns and insurance needs. When selecting your automobile insurance…
Significance of Radiologic Loss of Cervical Lordosis

Hyperextension/hyperflexion injuries resulting from automobile trauma more often cause soft-tissue damage than fractures or dislocations. The severity of these soft-tissue injuries often depends upon the relative movement of the head and neck as well as acceleration and deceleration forces. The type and degree of soft-tissue injuries are often subtle and require careful observation. The use…