Miscellaneous

• Client Concerns...Pain Management

  Laura Mackie | January 16, 2007 4:33 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  The successful litigator is well prepared to discuss all of a client's needs and concerns. In addition to expecting direction on legal issues, clients often expect meaningful advice on issues relating to treatment of their injuries. And although your role as advisor will generally take the form of offering a listening ear followed by recommendations of an appropriate medical practitioner for...

• Coming to terms with your client's pain

  Laura Mackie | January 10, 2007 8:56 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  When determining the value of a client's claim for general damages, it stands to reason that a litigator must first be able to accurately identify and thereafter describe their client's pain. After all, how can you determine the extent of suffering for which you are seeking compensation without first pinpointing the exact nature of your client's pain?Is your client suffering from acute pain or...

• Manage your pain, save your brain

  Laura Mackie | January 09, 2007 5:58 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  A recent study of long term pain sufferers provides information of interest to medical professionals as well as members of the legal community. In particular, the study provides a useful basis on which to determine residuals for clients suffering long term pain as a result of the negligence of a third party.The November 23, 2006 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience reported on a study conducted...

• Burn Injuries associated with Automobiles

  Laura Mackie | December 17, 2006 8:07 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  Automoible burns still account for a significant portion of hospital burn unit admissions. Despite efforts on the part of the medical community to increase consumer awareness of the dangers associated with regular use and maintenance of vehicles, burns associated with motor vehicles accounted for as much as 10% of all burn admissions to hospitals in 2006. The most common burn injuries...

• When a Welbilt Cooker isn't....

  Laura Mackie | December 04, 2006 9:35 AM | 1 CommentSacramento, CA

  On-line retailer QVC has issued a voluntary recall of an electronic pressure cooker sold via its telemarketing channel, web page and toll-free number from March 2001 through April 2001. The cooker was sold for $120. Selling under the name "Welbilt", the pressure cooker measures 11-inches-high, 11-inches-wide and 15-inches-long and was sold in white. The recalled electronic pressure cooker was...

• The "Egg Shell" Client

  Laura Mackie | November 29, 2006 9:05 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  When it comes to evaluating a client's injury for possible settlement, there are many factors to take into consideration. It is often the position of defense counsel and/or insurance carriers that pre-existing conditions do not substantially increase the value of a claimant's general damages. There is also the possibility that any claim for damages will be "devalued" by opposing counsel based...

• Humeral Fractures: And now a word from Burma-Shave

  Laura Mackie | November 20, 2006 4:09 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  It's long been recognized that Auto accidents and Humeral (arm) fractures go "hand in hand" (no pun intended). A popular ad campaign during the 1950's for Burma-Shave even spoke to this fact. Those of us, who were old enough at the time, may recall the roadside sign that wisely counseled, "Elbows held out of the window far, often go home in another car." And although we may not have realized...

• More than the sum of its parts: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  Laura Mackie | November 13, 2006 11:38 AM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  Sometimes overcoming the established prejudice of defense doctors, attorneys and insurance companies against the so-called malingerer presents itself as the most difficult part of pre-trial negotiations. Potential pre-trial settlements can easily be de-railed by defense usage of terms such as 'secondary gain' and 'psychogenic' in discussing diagnosis, prognosis and residuals. Questioning a...

• Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but Nanotubes may heal me

  Laura Mackie | November 09, 2006 9:17 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  Researchers at the University of California at Riverside have found a way to create a stronger and safer frame than the artificial bone scaffolds currently being used by medical professionals to repair broken bones. Enter the nanotube.Although Human bones can easily be shattered in accidents or ravaged by time and disease, scientists are excited about a new weapon in their battle against the...

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Reference Book

  Laura Mackie | November 09, 2006 8:47 PM | 0 CommentsSacramento, CA

  Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) is a malfunction of the nervous system that affects up to 1.2 million Americans.A disorder that is often poorly understood by medical professionals as well as patients and their families, this life altering affliction develops in response to an event, such as an accident or medical procedure, that the body...