When it comes to a chiropractor's personal injury practice, the chief concern should be predatory tactics of the trial attorney. Trial attorneys frequently cause more damage and turmoil to the doctor's practice than defense attorneys and insurance attorneys combined.
The challenges from trial lawyers are three fold:
A crucial element for the clinic when caring for a personal injury patient is to have some of their fees paid from the patient's own auto insurance carrier. The payment process is called Medpay in some states; in others, it is called PIP (personal injury protection).
This insurance is first-party insurance. Patients are entitled to have their medical bills reimbursed by their own insurance carriers to whatever limits of their coverage. Historically, when patients paid out-of-pocket for their medical expenses from automobile accidents, they submitted proof of payment to their insurance companies for reimbursement. About 25 years ago, it became fashionable to employ assignment of benefits (AOB), which allowed doctors to directly receive the benefits from the patients' insurance companies. Patients no longer had to pay out-of-pocket.
For years, this system worked. However, with the increasing tension between third-party insurance carriers and trial lawyers, trial lawyers saw their profits emasculated. Third-party carriers were winning the war against MIST (minor impact soft tissue) cases overwhelmingly in most jurisdictions.
Insurance companies invented a new subscience called biomechanical accident analysis to convince juries that minimal impacts could not cause injury. The doctors, however, were still been getting paid through the patients' auto insurance. In the last 10 years, lawyers have also used the AOB and had their clients sign the document.
The auto insurers face a conflict. They receive AOBs from doctors and lawyer. Whom should they pay? Because a lawyer's power is more intimidating than a doctor's, the insurance company opts to pay the lawyer. Doctors are outraged and feel helpless. They invest considerable time, staff and resources in treating patients, yet attorneys jump their fees and keep them in their "trust" account.
What Is to Be Done?
I recommend an efficient three steps to minimize your time and maximize the chance of recovery.
| HOWARD FIGHTBACK, DC 8383 Wilshire Boulevard #640 Beverly Hills, CA 90021 CERTIFIED MAIL John Dewey, Esq. Re:Demand for Payment in 72 Hours Dear Mr. Dewey: Enclosed please find a copy of the medical lien signed and dated by yourself. This lien guarantees that your office will pay our office once the case is settled. We understand that the case was settled recently, and that our patient has already received this compensation. We assume that you will honor your lien contract, but your delay is causing us concern. Accordingly, we demand full and immediate payment of $1,500 (see accompanying copies of bill and report). I am sure you are familiar with the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California. The Bar charges you as fiduciary for monies collected in this case. If payment is not made, we will have no alternative but to file a lawsuit against you and your firm. We prefer not to take these measures, but will unless we receive the payment within 72 hours from the date of this letter. Sincerely, Howard Fightback, DC cc: William Dunn Encls. medical lien medical report medical bill(s) letter from president of the State Bar of California, P. Terry Anderlini |
Shawn Steel MA,JD
Beverly Hills, California
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
