Posted: February 3, 2019
Summary
Get the answer to "Who is the best car accident injury doctor in Cincinnati."
Learn what giant hospital is discouraging their doctors from testifying? hint TriHealth Hospital
Learn how to find out if your Doctor will support your injury claim.
If you were injured in a car accident it is critical that you find the right doctor that has significant experience with your injury. Additionally, you will need a doctor that is willing to write a report on your behalf and testify by video deposition if necessary.
Expert testimony from a doctor about the nature and extent of your injury and that your injury was caused or aggravated by the auto crash is critical.
In fact, you can not get your case to a jury without expert medical evidence. That is because Ohio law requires expert testimony to determine this issue.
The law requires expert medical testimony, as to questions of cause and effect which are not so apparent as to be matters of common knowledge. The issue of causal connection between an injury and a physical disability involves scientific inquiry and must be established by the opinion of medical witnesses. (1)
So the best doctor for you auto accident claim is one that is a specialist in your type of injury and one that is willing to support your case. I do not mean to say that they will agree with everything, but at least they are willing to look at your side of the case and, if they are comfortable, give an opinion that your injury was caused by the car accident. As an accident attorney, I have run across doctors that are fully supportive of a VALID injury claim. I have also come across doctors that are hesitant or unwilling to testify.
The best car accident doctor is one that is a specialist in your type of injury and is willing to give his honest opinion about the cause and nature and extent of your injuries.
The Most Common Doctors For Car Accident Injuries
The most common doctors for car accident injuries are the family doctor aka primary care physician, the orthopedic specialist, the concussion specialist, and neurologist and/or neurosurgeon. The most common type of car accident injury is whiplash.(2) Although whiplash is not an actual injury it is more of a description of how an injury occured especially to the neck.
For example, in a rear end collision the car that was rear ended will cause its riders to jerk back towards the force then violently throw their heads forward and back. This mechanism and the forces brought to bear can herniate a disk or create a concussion, or stretch the musles and ligaments of the cervical spine.
What Are Some Doctor Specialties For Your Auto Injury
The primary care doctor is often the first medical doctor that car accident injury victims see after an initial emergency room visit. Although, not a specialist per se, your primary care doctor can get you started with physical therapy if needed. Your PCP can also make referrals to the specialists that they think can help your type of injury.
Your PCP may be a family practitioner. This is a M.D. who has completed medical school and completed a three year residency in family medicine. These doctors treat all ages.
Your PCP could also be an internal medicine doctor.This doctor has finished medical school and took a three year residency in internal medicine. These doctors may or may not treat children. For further reading on how to pick a family doctor click on this link ( Web M.D.)
What is an Orthopedic Physician
An orthopedic doctor treats injuries to the musculoskelatel system. This includes injures and diseases of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones.(3)
Most orthopedic doctors do surgery on injures such as herniated disks in the neck or back, roator cuff tears in the shoulder, all manner of broken bones, as well as injury to the knee, ankle, and hip. Most orthpods proceed conservatively before recommending surgery. An orthopedist usually will limit themselves to the type of surgeries they do depending on the particular body part.
Some orthopedists limit themselves to the hip, or the knee, or the shoulder or the spine, or the ankle. It is important to find out what area of the body your orthopedist specializes in so you get the right doctor that is best for your injury.
Who Is and Where Do I Find a Concussion Physician
A concussion doctor is ordinarily thought of as a neurologist.(4) However, I have seen a neurologist clear a patient and on testing by a neuropsychologist there were still deficits. The reason is that a neurologist tests gross functions, but they can not diagnose subtle brain injuries with disabling symptoms.
The neurologist is not a surgeon. The specialists in brain and spine surgery are neurosurgeons. A neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain including the central and peripheral nervous system.
Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that is concerned with how the brain and the rest of the nervous system influence a person's cognition and behaviors. These professionals use paper and pencil testing to determine brain injury. They can give strategies to help with your brain injury. https://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-neuropsychologist/
A good concussion specialist can be found at the teaching hospitals. They could be a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, a neurologist, an orthopedist, even some eye doctors study nuero-optometry. Always remember that a concussion is a brain injury. All brain injuries are serious. Cincinnati Childrens's hospital lists their concusssion group.
Is TriHealth Discouraging Their Doctors From Testifying in Car Accident Injury Claims? Yes They Are.
TriHealth is a large conglomerate based in Cincinnati that owns Bethesda and Good Samaritan Hospitals as well as many family practices. As a personal injury lawyer I have acces to professional list serves. This is where the topic of TriHealth discouraging thier doctors from testifying came up and was confimed through several sources.
Apparently it is still up to the doctor by TriHealth if they will testify or not. However, even doctors can not thumb their noses at the judicial system. Even if they do not want to testify, they can still be subpoened into court. However, we defer to their importance and generally have doctors give a video deposition in their office if the case needs to go to trial. Plus they get paid for their time as they should. However, some doctors just do not want to be bothered to testify or even write a report.
Where To Find The Best Doctors for Your Car Accident Injury
The best doctor for your injury is someone that puts their patients first, is willing to review records and write reports for a fee. And they are the right good and competent doctor for your injury. Just recently I took the deposition testimony for trial of Dr Michael Rohmiller, an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in spine surgery. He had done a fusion on my client's neck. He is a member of Beacon Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine.
I thought the service Dr Rohmiller gave to my client and the legal support he gave was excellant. This group is not owned by any of the hospital conglomerates. However, I just noticed they are partnering with TriHealth. What can this mean? As stated in Cincinnati Courier:
"TriHealth has entered into a development agreement with Beacon Orthopaedicsto create what they describe as the region's first orthopedic hospital.This will allow TriHealth and Beacon to become the biggest provider of orthopedic care in Greater Cincinnati." ( Cincinnati Business Courier Article)
How Do I Know If My Doctor Will Support my Car Accident Claim
The best thing you can do is ask your doctor if they think your injuries are related from the car crash. An a accident attorney I know this is the critical question. Ask your doctor if they would be willing to write a report if their attorney wants one.Ultimately it will be up to you and your attorney to get the doctors findings and opinions. There is an easy way to do this and a hard way. The hippocratic oath of the doctor requires that they administer to all the patient's needs that flow from the doctor patient relationship. The American Medical Association has guidelines regarding medical- legal issues.(5)
About The Author
Anthony Castelli founded the Law Office of Anthony D. Castelli. He has over 35 years expereince as a accident and injury attorney. He can be reached at 513-621-2345.
1. Drakulich v. Industrial Commision 137 Ohio State 82
2. Whiplash
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgery
4. https://www.wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/brain-injuries/concussion
