Attorneys may find themselves asking why a client should have an MRI after their accident.  Simply put, an MRI scan is the gold standard for injuries to the spine and other soft tissues.  Detecting injury early on is a key factor in ensuring a pain free future and an MRI can help detect possible undiagnosed injuries.

After a car, workplace or other accident, the injured client deserves the best diagnostic tools available.  Many low, or marginal cases, have been made more solid all because the treating doctor, or attorney, had the foresight to request an MRI.  It truly is a value added process as the client receives the correct medical care, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis to develop the most appropriate treatment plan, and the attorney has the objective evidence to fight the insurance companies.

Who should you turn to for accurate, concise, honest, fairly priced and timely MRI scans?  Choosing an MRI facility that is locally owned and offers representatives in your area is a great start as it allows for more personalized attention in your injury cases.  Additionally, customer focused local representation can help ensure that the patient is scheduled in a timely manner so that they can quickly be on the road to recovery.

Look for an imaging center that is focused on providing the highest standard in quality care and service through Board Certified Radiologists, trained technologists, caring staff, and a well qualified management team. These strengths will help in meeting ultimate goal of attending to the individual patient and physician requirements.

Additionally, because personal injury cases may take a period of time to settle, finding an MRI facility and representative that understands the process and is willing to work on lien is a valuable tool for personal injuries attorneys.

If you have questions about the MRI process, getting your clients scheduled, or working on a lien, I welcome your calls.

David Perkins, of Encompass West, is an MRI Liaison for MAX MRI who has an extended history working with local San Diego attorneys, medical doctors and chiropractors.  He understands the difficulty in settling cases in today’s environment and recognizes the need for quick and personal attention.

encompasswest.com  – (866) 676-4093

Post Provided by San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Oliver Pelly. Mr. Pelly has personally handled thousands of personal injury claims to successful completion and has a strong emphasis in litigation skills and practice.

Imagine you are driving towards an intersection in your hometown. The light turns green as you approach, and as you cross the intersection-wham!-someone hits you on the passenger side of your car. You are shaken up but it does not seem that you are injured, and you are thankful that you always wear your seatbelt.  You wonder if the other driver is okay, even though he should not have run the light.

You wish that you could just get on with your day, but you know that there are several things you must do to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

First, always stop after a car accident has occurred. If you fail to stop and the other driver is injured or their vehicle is damaged, you could be charged with a “hit and run”.  After you have stopped, be sure to check and see if there is an immediate danger to you or the passengers in your vehicle, or if anyone in your vehicle is injured.  If anyone has been injured, call an ambulance for medical attention.

Your next step should be to call 911 to report the accident and request a police officer to come to the site of the accident.  Always report an accident, no matter how minor:  A police report is an important tool to have in the event of an insurance claim.

You should also share information with the other driver including your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance; present your information to the officer when he or she arrives as well.  Try to be as objective as you can about the event, and if you have a camera, take photos of your vehicle and the scene of the accident, which will be helpful when you file an insurance claim.

Once a law enforcement officer arrives, give your statement of what occurred; the other driver will be asked to do the same.  Ask for a copy of the officer’s report, then immediately call your insurance company to start the claims process.  The company’s representative will ask you about the accident, then ask you to mail any documents that may help expedite your claim, including the police report. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may also have legal claims for damages sustained in the accident, such as personal injuries, property damage, and, if you suspect a mechanical defect, a lawsuit against the automaker.

If you or a loved one is involved in an auto accident, stay calm, call the police and seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss you legal options and held you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.

The Law Offices of Phillips and Pelly, serving personal injury clients from Vista, Carlsbad, Mission Valley Chula Vista, and throughout San Diego and San Diego County.

858-345-5929

760-349-4609

619-299-2150

800-260-1808

Have you been injured in an automobile accident or personal injury incident, but don’t have health insurance or state assistance to pay for your medical treatment? Some medical professionals will treat a patient on a medical lien basis. A medical lien can extend the amount of time allowed for payment of your medical bills incurred due to an accident. If you have a personal injury attorney representing you, then he/she can sign a medical lien on your behalf, so that you can receive the appropriate care and treatment.

A medical lien is a formal written agreement (promise) between a patient and medical care provider. The doctor agrees to perform necessary medical treatments in return for a guarantee by the injured patient that he/she will pay the doctor’s bills from the personal injury settlement.

It is your duty to receive proper health care to ensure that your injuries do not worsen.  If your injuries get worse due to your own neglect, then YOU will be held responsible for the worsening of your injuries, and not the person who caused the injuries. Therefore, it is essential that you seek prompt medical treatment in the aftermath of an incident caused by the negligence of another.

If you do not yet have an attorney and are unsure as to what you should do, then your best bet is to contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your options. The attorney can best advise you as to how to proceed with your claim and assist you with obtaining appropriate medical care and treatment.

A. Jason Kerckhoff has been successfully obtaining excellent results for his clients for more than twenty-five years. He has the highest rating in Martindale-Hubbell, which is the preeminent company that rates attorneys not only for their abilities, but for their ethics. These ratings are obtained by peers in the San Diego community, and a small percentage of lawyers are privileged to have achieved this rating.  

2533 S. Coast Highway 101, # 250 -Cardiff-By-The-Sea – 92007
(760) 635-7600

8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Eighth Floor – San Diego – 92108
619) 222-3310

640 State Street – El Centro – 92243
(760) 337-3990

Serving all of San Diego and Imperial Counties, including Cardiff-By-The-Sea, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Olivenhain, Leucadia, La Costa, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe.

I had the recent pleasure and pain of being able to attend a seven and one half day  training/testing for Master level black belt advancement in Soo Bahk Do.  This martial art is of Korean origin with a Chinese influence.  It is a classical style of hard and soft  echniques known for striking (punching and especially kicking), as well as pain compliance self-defense techniques, weapons defense, and forms.

The testing/training is only offered in one location each year in the United States. We, in California, were fortunate to have Ramona, California picked as the location this year as participants came from all over the country.  The week of training is hard with an early daily start about 6:15 am and training to late in the night on most nights.  The latest night was about 1:30 am with the same 6:15 am start the same morning.  Needless to say proper conditioning and physical prowess is essential for completion of this arduous training program.

Participants needed to move with sureness of position, full range of motion, and power while maintaining proper posture and stance over prolonged periods of time.  To accomplish these goals all martial artists needed to have proper alignment and movement of their bodies.  This means having proper spinal joint position and movement as well as muscle balance.  With fatigue and errors in movement during the learning curve, as well as bunk beds and little time in them, many of us were taxed to our physical and mental limits.  Muscles were tight and sore and joints felt stiff and out of place (because they were stiff and out of place).  It got difficult or nearly impossible to move for some of us.  This was a serious issue for all of us.  We had to test and show proper technique, considering the level of commitment and training to get to the test.

This is where proper Chiropractic care came to the rescue for many of the martial art testing candidates.   I had the opportunity to help those in my 4^th degree testing group as well as those in 5^th, 6^th, and even 7^th degree testing.  We had very little time between  training sessions so I had to do as much work in a brief period of time as possible.  A full history and examination was not possible in that setting like I conduct in my chiropractic office.  I would quickly question anyone for relevant history before I treated them.  Knowing that to make it to this level of testing/training all participants had to be in top physical condition helped assure me it was safe to manipulate their joints without a thorough physical examination which is mandatory back in my Mira Mar office.  A few adjustments and some muscle work went a long way towards restoring the movement ability of those I worked on.

There were many who credited the chiropractic care they received for making the difference in their abilities to complete the test to the level that they aspired. The gratitude expressed by those I helped was payment enough for me.  I was especially happy to have one of my colleagues there to adjust me.  Master Rick Wilcox, D.C. from Maui attended the week and with chiropractic adjustments helped get me through it too.

Jerry Wolfe, D.C. Chiropractic and Massage Healing Arts

Personal Injury Care on Lien – Serving Mira Mar and Scripps Ranch

9265 Activity Rd. #111

San Diego, CA 92126

(858) 578 5775

At some point, everyone will have a headache, whether it’s from stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes or even self-induced after having way too much fun the night before! In fact, 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches. For the most part, headaches are not indicative of a dangerous underlying condition, but they can be (…a topic for a future Health Update”). The focus of this Health Update is to discuss the most common form of headache – the tension-type headache.

Tension-type headaches (TTHA) are defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a diffuse, mild to moderate pain that’s often described as feeling like a tight band around your head.” Ironically, even though this is the most common form of headache, the causes of tension type headaches are not well understood. They are sometimes described as muscle contraction headaches but many experts no longer think muscle contractions are the cause. They now feel that “mixed signals” coming from nerve pathways to the brain are the cause and may be the result of “overactive pain receptors.”

Regardless of the cause, the triggers of tension headaches are well known and include stress, depression, anxiety, poor posture, faulty awkward work station set-ups, jaw lenching as wells as many others. Risk factors for tension type headache  include being a woman (studies show that almost 90% of woman experience tension headaches at some point in life) and being middle aged (TTHA’s appear to peak in our 40s, though tension type headaches are not limited to any one age group). Complications associated with tension type headaches may include job productivity loss, family and social interaction
disruption, and relationship strain. The diagnosis is typically made by
excluding other dangerous causes of headaches and when all the test results
return “normal,” the diagnosis of tension type headaches is made.

Treatment utilizing over the counter medications are often effective so long as side effects of stomach irritation and/or liver and kidney issues don’t arise. The use of heat and/or cold is often helpful as some prefer one over the other.  Alternating between ice and heat is sometimes most effective. Controlling stress by trimming out less important duties or “…taking on less” can help.  Yoga, meditation, biofeedback and relaxation therapy are also great! An “ergonomic” assessment of a workstation and how it “fits” the headache patient can also yield great results.

Other highly effective therapies include acupuncture, massage therapy, behavior and/or cognitive therapy as well as of course, chiropractic! Chiropractic is a GREAT choice compared to standard medical care, especially when side effects to medications exist. This is because manipulation of the cervical spine addresses the cause of the headache and doesn’t just try to “cover up” the pain. In 2001, Duke University reported compelling evidence that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those with headaches that originate in the neck with significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief compared to commonly prescribed medication. Chiropractic treatment approaches include (partial list): spinal manipulation, trigger point therapy, mobilization techniques, exercise training, physical therapy modality use, dietary and supplementation education / advice, lifestyle coaching and ergonomic assessments.

If you, a friend, or family member are suffering from tension type headaches, the doctor and staff at Wachs Chiropractic Health Center in Chula Vista appreciate your trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you.

If you enjoy learning about chiropractic care as well as other ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle, join Dr.Steven Wachs blog.

DR. STEVEN M. WACHS, D.C. – Pacific Coast Injury Group Member
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (C.C.S.P.)
Qualified Medical Evaluator (Q.M.E.)
Independent Medical Examiner (I.M.E.)

359 Third Ave., #B

Chula Vista, CA 91910

If you’ve been harmed in an accident and find yourself in the middle of a personal injury case with an accident lawyer, you’ll likely be seeing the doctor quite a few times in the coming months. Before visiting, there are several things you should know to not only help you get the best care available, but also help the outcome of your personal injury case.

But it’s not just knowing what to do…it’s knowing what not to do as well. Take a look at some of the top things you should know when visiting a doctor during a personal injury case:

• Do your background work – If seeing a specialist for your injuries, request your medical records from your general practitioner.
• Your new doctor will want to see everything – MRIs, x-rays, and most importantly, your full medical history. If you have a copy of the police report filed with your accident, bring that as well. You can never give too much information.
• Visit on a regular basis – Most of the time, going to just the first appointment won’t be enough to ensure to help you get better.  Listen to the doctor and visit he or she on a regular basis to ensure you’re healing properly from your injuries.
• Don’t act tough – We can’t stress this enough. Make sure
  you tell the doctor everything. Let them know the specific details of your injury and how it happened, as well as all of your pain and symptoms. Now’s not the time to act macho or downplay what you’re really feeling. Insurance companies will give you a smaller settlement if certain things aren’t listed in your medical records.
• Be thorough – The doctor will ask you several questions about your injuries to determine the best course of treatment. These questions usually fall in four general areas:  Location of the pain – Where does it hurt?  Extent of the pain – How long have you been feeling this way?  Frequency of the pain – How often are your symptoms present? Severity of your pain – On a scale of 1 to 5, how much pain are you in because of your accident? 
• Ask questions – It’s important you understand how you’re being treated and why. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like: What are my treatment options? How long will treatment take? How much does each course of treatment cost? When can I expect to be fully healed? 
• Make copies of everything – Make copies of all medical records, medical bills (for office visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, etc.), and expenses associated with it. If applicable, you should also keep track of how many days of work you miss due to your injuries.

Knowing each of these things before visiting the doctor can make big steps toward ensuring you get the insurance settlement you deserve.

The question is: “What can the issues raised in the USAA, AIS, et al lawsuit teach us about some auto insurance companies and their pocket review companies?”

Response: As the legal discovery process proceeds in this case, additional information will doubtedly be found. For now, based solely upon the filed allegations against the involved parties, we have gathered several points to focus upon. The enclosed handouts summarize key issues and valuable lessons they can teach us.

How to use the attached paperwork:  Study the information sheet carefully.  Experience, with great frustration, some of the alleged abuses the defendants are charged with in this case. Then read the lessons we need to learn in order to more effectively fight back on each issue. Know that these alleged unethical practices are not unique to this particular auto insurance alliance and future class action lawsuits are likely. Remember, the copyright is not enforced as long as this material is not used for promotional purposes or for direct  sale.  The copyright information must not be removed or altered in any manner. I can be reached in writing, by phone 760-744-1881, fax 760-744-2103, or at  lewkovich@cox.net

Dr. Gary Lewkovich is a personal injury expert and member of PacificCoast Injury Groupserving San Marcos for over 28 years.  Dr. Lewkovich is among a select group of chiropractors who continue to obtain specialized training, certifications and further education to become a highly specialized and sought after medical professional. He is a Doctor of Chiropractic, Qualified Medical Examiner, Chiropractic Orthopedist, Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management and is available on lien.

Wellness Chiropractic
940 W. San Marcos Blvd. #B
San Marcos, 92078 - 760 744-1881

Handout – USAA Lessons

What is a “Whiplash” Injury?

Whiplash injuries occur when the neck (cervical spine) is suddenly and forcefully jerked, and is typically associated with car accidents. The speed of the movement is really what causes the “injury.” The speed at which the neck is forced upon impact is faster than we can contract our muscles in attempt to stop the forceful movement resulting, for instance, from the bio-mechanical forces of a car accident. This results in muscle, tendon, and/or lligament over-stretching, even tearing; the tissue is weakened due to the injury. Symptoms include:
1. stiff and painful neck movements,
2. weakness or, the head “feels heavy” making it challenging to “hold up” as well as,
3. headache, and,
4. sometimes dizziness, ear noises, TMJ or jaw pain, and “mental fog.”

What should be done in case a whiplash type injury occurs?

The amount or degree of damage to the soft tissues around the neck area – that is, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and disks of the neck — will be the deciding medical factors as to how much rest vs. activity (medical care included) should be initially performed. If there are no fractures, dislocations or other injuries resulting in an unstable cervical spine (neck), studies have shown rest and a soft collar is actually harmful when compared to early return to activity and exercises. This is because soft tissue type injuries heal best with “proper motion” in order to get the blood supply over to the affected area to help heal the damaged tissues.

Chiropractic therapy treatment, which essentially exercises the joints of the neck, has been shown in medical studies to actually speed recovery when performed sooner rather than later after a whiplash type injury. A good way to classify the injury includes four categories:
1) Pain with no significant abnormal clinical findings;
2) Pain with mild clinical findings and notable range of motion loss;
3) Pain with neurological injury (resulting in radiating arm pain for instance); and
4) Pain associated with fracture (bone breaks), and/or dislocation.

Those suffering with category 1 or 2 injuries should minimize rest, collar use, proceed with life’s activities and not be afraid to do desired activities. Remember, blood flow is key as blood flow supplies oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and joints. More aggressive type exercise and, utilizing chiropractic adjustments as soon as possible is very effective in the first two categories of the soft-tissue type injury. Category 4 (fractures and dislocations)  injuries require the use of a rigid collar usually for 4-6 weeks as rest/protection is imperative. Bones tend to heal better with limited motion as opposed to soft-tissue type injuries. Category 3 demands careful monitoring by your chiropractor as neurological problems like arm pain, leg pain and numbness, muscle strength weakness, must be closely watched during the healing process. The use of ice is helpful with all four categories of injury, especially if there is inflammation, and exercise training is important and can
be started sooner in the first two categories of the injury.

What can you do if you sustain a whiplash injury?

The first thing one can do is partake in the use of ice.  This is a much better choice over the use of heat as ice reduces swelling and pain while heat can increase swelling because it brings in more blood flow into an already swollen area; this may be overkill in terms of blood flow. The heat may feel good during its use but most patients report the pain either returns shortly thereafter or, at times, feels worse than before! Ice and heat can certainly be alternated but ice should be emphasized; you can use ice for 10 minutes, heat 5 minutes, and repeat the ice / heat / ice approach starting and ending with ice. One session usually equals 40 minutes (ice/heat/ice/heat/ice for 10+5+10+5+10, respectively, = 40 min.), and several sessions can be repeated each day. The old saying of “ice for 24 hours followed by heat” does NOT apply here as ice or “contrast therapy” of ce/heat/ice/heat/ice can be performed for as long as there is pain or, for several weeks or longer.

The good news is that you will never hurt yourself by using ice but, you can make it hurt worse by using heat too soon so, when in doubt, use ice! This is the best rule to follow given the nature of these type of injuries. The next, very important, recommendation is to utilize exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck and upper back region. Chiropractors often instruct their patients in the use of home stretching therapy. The “general rule” of exercise is slow repetitions staying within “reasonable” boundaries of pain and range of
motion. That is, a good, stretch type of pain is encouraged while avoiding sharp pain whenever possible. I have discussed several very practical neck stretches and strengthening exercises previously in past blog posts and articles, and I will again address this in the future so please watch for them. Posture correction of chin tucks, keeping your head back over your shoulders is very helpful as well.

Mark C. Blane is a San Diego Personal Injury Attorney, and the managing lawyer of the Law Offices of Mark C. Blane, a San Diego, California Personal Injury Law Firm dedicated to representing families of people injured in personal injury accidents including car accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, product defects, and the like. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in an accident in San Diego, or Southern California, due to the negligence of another, please order your free copy of Mr. Blane’s book, The 10 Secrets You Need To Know About Your Injury Case, BEFORE You Call A Lawyer. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it normally sells for $16.95. However, it is free to all California residents, or those injured in an California accident.

525 B Street, 15th Floor – San Diego – 92101

888 845-6269 – 619 813-7955

Recently I had a telephone call from a prospective personal injury client who had been hurt in a car accident. The victim related to me that they were not at fault in this injury accident..in fact liability was crystal clear: they had been stopped at a red light and were “rear-ended” at approximately 40 mph. This accident completely demolished their car. Despite the immediate onset of injury symptoms they declined medical care. They returned to work the next day, and despite the back and neck pain they continued to work regularly. The press of their busy life between work and family obligations caused them to not see a doctor at any time subsequent to the car accident. Now, 8 months later, they were calling me to see what could be done and how to proceed with a case.

Obviously this injured person should have sought immediate medical care…it
shouldn’t take a lawyer to tell them that!…however, as far as a potential case against the driver who caused the injury in the car accident they will have an extremely difficult and uphill battle on their hands in demonstrating that they were actually injured as a result of the automobile crash. Simply put, what should have been a solid personal injury case in which this injured accident victim could be compensated for her personal injuries, the victim has let so much time elapse been the accident and seeking medical care that it may be extremely difficult to prove that the injuries were the result of the car accident.

The law requires that when one is injured in an accident that they take steps to mitigate their damages. Specifically, the law takes a dim view of a plaintiff who seeks compensation for injuries, and pain and suffering when they have taken no steps to attempt to receive medical care to attempt to get well.  It is also difficult to convince a judge or jury that after an extensive delay, in the absence of other evidence, that the injury was the result of the long ago prior accident.

If you are involved in accident and believe that you may have been hurt as a result, it is essential that you get checked out by your doctor immediately.  If your doctor believes treatment is in order it is wise for the sake of your health to undertake the medical care regimen prescribed. Failure to follow these common sense guidelines may have a detrimental effect on your personal injuries, as well as your ability to seek compensation from the party who caused your injury. Every personal injuryattorney can tell accounts of clients who at first appeared to have minor injuries only to have the condition worsen and require major surgery later on. If you suffer personal injuries in an accident see your doctor and follow his guidance….and as any personal injury lawyer will tell you, your ability to be fairly compensated for your personal injuries may depend in significant part on you taking the necessary steps to mitigate your damages and prove the connection between your personal injuries and the accident which caused them.

Jeffrey R.Frank is a leading San Diego Attorney focusing on the areas of personal injury, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, auto accidents, wrongful death and Federal Tort Claims Act.

424 F St. – San Diego – 92101 – 619 251-8102

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 100 million work days per year are lost due to low back pain.  Carrying your children, cleaning your floors, lifting groceries out of the car or a little extra weight up front (also known as pendulous abdominal syndrome) are all common causes of your low back ache. Lifting, bending, twisting, or perhaps even worse, sitting all day at work can contribute to your discomfort.  Add to all of this, a slip and fall or a previous car accident and it’s not difficult to understand why studies show that  approximately 80% of Americans will suffer from lower back pain at some time in their life.

Many times back pain begins after just bending over to pick up something up.  It doesn’t even have to be something heavy it could be as light as a pencil. That’s because it is not the weight pencil causing your back pain, but rather your lower back’s structure (muscles, joints, discs, and vertebrae) has lost its normal functioning, and therefore could not provide the necessary support to your spine as you bend.

Chiropractors specialize in finding the cause of your lower back pain. Combining spinal adjustments with proper exercises and stretches are the keys to reducing or eliminating your lower back pain. Chiropractors are the specialists in treating lower back pain.  Whether you have recently suffered in an automobile accident or are experiencing low back pain during everyday activities, Mission Village Chiropractic welcomes your call for a complete evaluation.

Dr. Bruce Blakely is a founding member of Pacific Coast Injury Group and a San Diego Chiropractor specializing in head, neck and low back pain relief.  He has served San Diego for more than 30 years, is a Palmer College graduate, and an expert in motor vehicle injury treatment.  Join Dr. Blakely on his blog for more information on chiropractic treatment and care.

Mission Village Chiropractic

3570 Camino Del Rio North, #104

San Diego, 92108

(619) 281-1999

Resource: Cassidy, J.D., et al, “Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Low-Back Pain.” – Canadian Family Physician 1985; Vol. 31, March pp. 535-540.