Shawn Steel Law Firm
    PI Email Alert - Feb. 24, 2017
Tom Brady & Dr. Michael Miller, DC
In This Issue
National Safety Council says increase in traffic deaths blamed on "complacency"
Traffic deaths in California rose 14% in 2016 and 19% in the last two years. Nationally over 40,000 people were killed in car crashed in 2016, an increase from 378,757 in 2015.
 
Officials blamed in increased in drugs, particularly opioids. Marijuana intoxication are increasing. 9% of the deaths are blamed on the smartphone.
 
Drunk driving increased some 3% nationwide.
 
Suggestions such as ignition interlock devices to keep impaired drivers from driving, to using automated camera to catch speeders and increasing automatic driving devices are recommended.
 
San Francisco Chronicle: Feb 15, 2017
If you love what you do join the California Chiropractic Association

SHAWN IS SPEAKING AT:
 
CCA-Districts

Orange County District 
(2 hrs. Mandated CE)
Wed. March 8
 
Long Beach District
Wed. March 22
 
All doctors are welcome to join us
 
For questions e-mail 
 
Chiro Ski Conference
Fri.-Sun. March 3-5
Up to 12 hours of CE including 2 hrs. mandated CE
(Ethics & Law)
Village Lodge, Mammoth Lakes, CA
 
Contact Us
Phone: (800) 626-0003
BREAKING: American College of Physicians New Guidelines recommend Spinal Manipulation for low back pain
Make sure your patients are aware of the block busting study.
 
"Given that most patients with acute or subacute low back pain improve over time regardless of treatment, clinicians and patients should select nonpharmacologic treatment with superficial head massage, acupuncture or spinal manipulation," the American College of Physicians says in its new guidelines.

Recommending NON-drug therapy is astonishing. Stating that the use of "exercise...and spinal manipulation are shown to improve symptoms with little risk of harm"
 
In another remarkable statement the ACP also announced that
 
"PHYSICIANS SHOULD CONSIDER OPIOIDS AS THE LAST OPTION FOR TREATMENT AND ONLYU IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE FAILED IN OTHER THREAPIES."
 
To get your copy, please email: johntawlian@shawnsteel.com.
TWO Different Verdicts: Sacramento Victory, San Joaquin Shortfall
Sacramento Red Light Case
 
Lisa Roper was struck on the side by a taxi minivan. First, she saw her DC but she continued to experience pain, numbness and tingling in her lower extremities. Her DC referred her to a physical therapist which was unsuccessful. The MRI revealed disc protrusions. The DC referred Lisa to a Pain Management MD where she received an injection.  Roper developed chronic pain and neuropathy. Surgery was recommended to Roper but decided to delay. 
 
Roper initially demanded $195,000. Defendant taxi offered $50,000. The result was $330,000.
 
Lisa Roper vs. AAA Green Cab et al, Sacramento Superior Court, Hon Judge Alan G Perkins.

San Joaquin Rear-ender
 
Jose Gonzales was rear-ended after he stopped for traffic 5 seconds. Defendant admitted liability. Jose was taken by ambulance to the San Joaquin general hospital. Despite the ambulance, emergency room and time off work his chiropractor DID NOT MAKE any MD referrals to support his diagnosis or his treatment plan.
 
Gonzales claimed $14,000 in medical bills and lost earnings. Defendant offered $19,001.
 
The jury reached a verdict of $7,045. They awarded for the ambulance and the emergency room. However, no money was granted for ANY chiropractic care.
 
Not only will the chiropractor not get paid but his patient is personally liable to pay the insurance company court costs and expert witness fees.
 
Gonzalez vs Ghilotti, San Joaquin Superior Court, November 3, 2016, Hon. Barbara Kronlung

LESSON TIPS
 

1. More than ever, juries want to see DC's and MD's work together.

 

2. All referrals are authorized and required by the Chiropractic Act Section 317.

 

3. Patients come first. If the accident is moderate to serious extra caution needs to be used to confirm your diagnosis and your treatment plan.

 

Shawn Steel Law Firm, 3010 Old Ranch PKWY, Suite 260, Seal Beach, CA 90740
Sent by shawnsteel@shawnsteel.com in collaboration with
Constant Contact