Your patient’s personal-injury case is going to trial and your testimony is needed. There are two ways to do this: by deposition or by actually appearing and testifying as an expert witness at the trial. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of each, both for you and for your patient. Many doctors tell us … Read more
Unlike injuries covered by Workers’ Compensation benefits, settlements and awards in personal injury claims – such as auto accidents or “slip and fall” – cannot be “left open” for payment as needed for future medical expenses. Most doctors know that injured workers with accepted injuries may receive ongoing medial care at the Comp carrier’s expense. … Read more
An adjuster recently told us that Allstate would pay only $1,500 total settlement for personal injuries resulting from a car accident if there is little or no property damage. The adjuster said, in effect, “Yes, I believe your client was hurt, but I don’t think a jury will believe it.” That is, He is confident … Read more
When your injured patient is covered by Medicare or Medicaid (Oregon Medical Assistance Program), you may be inclined to bill another paying source which might be available. It is important to be aware of the rules effecting who you may bill, bow much you may bill and when you may bill. This article gives an … Read more
You are probably aware that medical records are important evidence in any personal injury case. This article gives an overview of the ways chart notes and other medical records are used to assess medical damages (the dollar value of the medical “loss” sustained by the injured person as a result of another’s actions or negligence). … Read more
A call from your patient’s attorney asking for an appointment may push you out of your comfort zone. “What does he (or she) want from me?” you may think. “I sent them my records, what more do they want?” This article is to answer these and other questions, and to help you see the medical … Read more
Some topics are so vast we cannot hope to cover them in this journal. Occasionally we come across a book of note in the medical/legal field and will use this opportunity to notify you of such discoveries. Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries by Lawrence S. Nordhoff, Jr. (Aspen Publishers, Inc., 1996) is a resource which provides … Read more
If your patient has been injured in an auto accident, there’s a good chance he/she will be required to submit to an “independent medical examination” (IME). As your patient’s treating physician, you are in a position to help minimize the trauma of this inherently threatening experience. You are probably well aware that many people are … Read more
A lawyer representing one of your patients has asked you to testify in court concerning the injury you treated. What does the lawyer expect of you? What can you expect of the lawyer? The context here is testimony in court before a jury in a personal injury lawsuit (not a deposition in a workers compensation … Read more
The patient you are treating was just in a wreck. He/she has serious injuries: obviously, in no shape to return to work, perhaps for a couple of weeks or more. Yet -“Doc, I gotta work. Gotta feed my family, pay the bills… “. Such patients may get help from personal injury protection (PIP) income loss … Read more