Independent Medical Examinations revisited

So after just posting on ratemds.com, I reviewed my other posts with the label "medical examinations." One was on Verity Medical, which has now removed the calendar of all the doctors whose opinions are bought by insurance companies and their defense lawyers.

I did find something interesting on its refer a case page and that's a Printable Request for Service Form - Liability/No-Fault/Personal Injury. From that form, it appears that the insurer's adjuster or defense attorney can guide the expert physician towards what they would like said. Here are the "specific issues" bullet points:

"1. Diagnosis: Please give your impression of the injury or condition claimed as a result of the accident in question. Have the correct diagnoses been made and are they supported by the objective findings?
2. Causation: Are the above-described diagnoses medically causally related to the accident or injury in question?
3. Other Conditions: Please note any pre-existing injuries or conditions. Are any of these affecting the claimant’s recovery from the injuries or conditions alleged as a result of the accident or injury in question?
4. Apportionment: If the accident in question is only partially contributing to the current condition, please indicate and apportion the current condition between this accident and other conditions or events.
5. Past Treatment: Has treatment to date been reasonable and necessary as it relates to
the accident or injury in question?
6. Future Treatment: Is future medical treatment necessary as a result of the accident or injury in question? If yes, please specify the type, frequency, and duration of the suggested
treatment(s) along with your prognosis.
7. Healing Period: Has the claimant reached an end of healing, maximum medical improvement, or pre-injury status as it relates to the accident or injury in question? If yes, please indicate
the date it was reached. If no, please indicate when it can be anticipated.
8. Work Restrictions: Is the claimant capable of working? Please describe temporary or permanent work restrictions, if any, necessary as a result of the accident or injury in question.
9. Daily Living Activities: Is the claimant capable of performing activities of daily living? Please describe the limitations, if any, that exist as a result of the accident or injury in question.
10. Permanence of Injury: Has the accident or injury resulted in any permanent impairment? If yes, please provide your opinion as to the nature and extent of this impairment and rationale to support your opinion."

By the way, I don't mean to pick on Verity Medical, there are many companies like this in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney

Wisconsin Doctor Ratings at RateMDs.com

Wisconsin Doctor Ratings at RateMDs.com can assist you in learning others' opinions about Wisconsin doctors. Keep in mind though that those are just random opinions.

Wisconsin Medical Malpractice Attorney

Two Recent City of Brookfield Appointments

I'm pleased to announce the following two appointments I recently received:

City of Brookfield, Wisconsin Mayor Jeffrey Speaker with the approval of Brookfield Aldermen Ron Balzer, Scott A. Berg, Christopher Blackburn, Bill Carnell, Mike Franz, James A. Garvens, Gary D. Mahkorn, Jerry Mellone, Lisa Mellone, Mark Nelson, Rick Owen, Steven V. Ponto, Bob Reddin, and Daniel Sutton, have appointed me to to the City of Brookfield Police & Fire Commission where I will serve with William J. Murgas, Bernard J. Tesmer, Jay D. Rosencrantz, Edward Jurken, Jr., and Alderman Sutton.

Also, the Brookfield Central Junior Lancers - Brookfield Youth Football Association Board recently elected me a board member where I will be serving with John Cain, Pat Hawkins, Mark Sorenson, Alan Thiede, Doug Lange and Tracey Pangman.

Honestly, beyond having clients' recognition as "Best Attorney", I gain the most pleasure from trying to serve the Milwaukee and Brookfield communities.

Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer

Asbestos and politics

A Washington Post article on Fred Thompson's connection to asbestos interests has driven some to contact me as a result of my last two posts. Tort Deform.com blogs on this and so does Congresspedia on Fred Thompson. My assessment is that though this may be somewhat inconsistent with Thompson's true conservatism, it's not completely as asbestos in Wisconsin and elsewhere is more of a national issue, then say medical malpractice or car accidents. For example, many who were in our U.S. Navy suffer from asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma.

This isn't to say that I'm not curious about this, but at the moment it doesn't dissuade me from an interest in Fred Thompson.

Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney

Thompson, Torts, and True Conservatism

Thompson, Torts, and True Conservatism is another great article from the Center for a Just Society. See also its outstanding pieces on "Tort Reform":

Tort Reform Part I: The Social Purpose of Tort Law
Tort Reform Part II: Preserving the Right to Trial by Jury
Tort Reform Part III: Who Decides?
Tort Reform Part IV: Solutions Depend on Facts not Spin

Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer

Fred Thompson

Fred Thompson has basically said he's running for President and I'm pretty excited about that. Though I consider myself to be fairly conservative and I've supported certain Republicans in the past. e.g. Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama, I generally fall on the Democratic side of the ticket due to my very strong belief that tort reform is wrong and those without the ability to pay lawyers hourly rates (upwards of $200+ per hour) ought to have the same access to the courts as those with the ability to pay. However, Fred Thompson is a man who generally understands that tort reform is wrong. Here's an article from the National Review ripping Fred Thompson on the issue and here's Fred Thompson's response. For the first time in the last 25+ years, I have a potential Presidential candidate who understands tort issues and recognizes many of the things I written about here before. This is good news.

Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney

Wisconsin Lawyers Sponsoring Golf Outings

The Wisconsin lawyers I know generally try to share the benefits of their practice with charitable groups. This year my firm is sponsoring the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts Golf Classic on June 18, 2007 and the Saint Francis Seminary Golf Benefit on July 30, 2007. I hope you are able to join us or at least give to these organizations.

Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer