Too many doctors work too hard and long writing narrative reports. According to Dr. Lewkovich, the narrative is outdated and inefficient. We agree.

We like the Bullet Point Report: concise sentences with only vital data. For example, we like to see the following format:

Accident History:
✓	3 key facts. Rear-ended, when client was stopped and his car pushed forward into another vehicle.
Initial Complaints
✓	Merely list what the patient tells you they felt within 24 hours.
Presenting Complaints
✓	Their list will be longer; be sure to add pain scales.
Physical Exam
✓	Traditional orthopedic and neurological exams
Important Pre-existing History
✓	List prior hospitalizations
✓	List prior auto or workers’ comp claims
✓	Ask what medications they are using.
Summary of all medical records
✓	Begin with the police report
✓	ER records
✓	Any MD specialist records
Radiographic findings
✓	Just quote the DACBR
Disabilities / Duties under Duress
✓	Use the SS ADL form [easy]
✓	State amount of time lost from work—1 sentence
Diagnosis
✓	Matching ALL complaints with ICD-9 soon ICD 10 codes
Prognosis
✓	Matching ALL Diagnosis but stating the probable outcome in two years.

There you have it. No need to write like Shakespeare. Just the facts, please.

E-mail johntawlian@shawnsteel.com for a report outline.

Nichole Cheatham made a claim against her own insurance, Farmers, stating that an uninsured motorist turned left in front of her car without time to avoid the accident. Farmers agreed the motorist was negligent but argued that Nichole was not substantially injured.

Because of the high impact, Nichole argued that she suffered cervical disc herniation at C5-6 and C6-7 and a lumbar disc herniation at L5/S1. Nichole tried extensive chiropractic, physical therapy and epidural steroid injections. She continued to suffer severe pain and radiculopathy. Finally, she submitted to a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5/6 and C6/7. She may require future lumbar surgery.

Farmers argued that Cheatham suffered sprains superimposed on her preexisting fibromyalgia and the disc herniations were also preexisting.

Cheatham offer evidence that her medical bills were some $60,000 with future medical bills over $100,000.

Farmers offered $75,000. Cheatham demanded the policy limits of $250,000.

Hon. James Alfano [ret] awarded the $250,000 policy plus an additional $5,000 for med pay.

UM Arbitration, January 17, 2014.