Medical Referrals and Resources for Accident Victims
If you are injured, then you should see a doctor. Most of us can agree on this simple if-then statement. We here at Malloy Law Offices often advocate for prompt medical attention as a means to identify injuries and provide a hard record of their causes. The intervention of a medical professional can often work wonders in guaranteeing the best outcomes for injured persons. But the average person may be unaware of the options available to them to seek treatment for their specific ailments. For most “you should see a doctor” means booking an appointment with a general practitioner, or (in severe cases) visiting the emergency room. These are excellent first steps on the road to recovery. But more specialized treatment may be necessary, and a personal injury attorney may be able to help. Today’s blog will explore medical referrals and resources for the injured.
Medical Referrals, Medical Specialists, and Personal Injury
While a physician should be able to provide at least a rough idea of your injury, and the next steps towards obtaining treatment, those next steps are often going to lead to the office of a more specialized medical professional. These specialist doctors are often experts in treating the specific area of the body where your injury occurred, and will likely have encountered cases much like your own beforehand. Let’s list several such specialists, as well as their area of expertise.
Orthopedists
Orthopedic surgery, or simply orthopedics, is a branch of medicine concerned with the human skeletal system. The term “orthopedics” is derived from the work of 17th century French medical pioneer Nicholas Andry. This writer and physician authored a book entitled Orthopaedia on the prevention of developmental defects in children. However, modern orthopedics can be of use to people of all ages and developmental stages. In particular, degenerative conditions of the spine or joints are often treated by orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, or a combination of the two. Even congenital defects may be improved or repaired by a skilled orthopedic surgeon.
In the context of personal injury law, orthopedists are often vital in repairing spinal injuries, as well as providing a hard record of their extent and severity. They can also be invaluable in treating the kinds of irregular bone breaks and dislocations common in motor vehicle accidents, falls, and industrial job site injuries.
Neurologists
Neurology is the medical branch dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses affecting the human nervous system. This discipline stretches back to the 15th and 16th centuries and can be thought of as an applied branch of neuroscience; the study of the nervous system. Neurologists can assist patients in the diagnosis and treatment of a vast array of disorders, including:
- Migraines
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
- Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
In the context of personal injury law, neurologists can be invaluable in assessing and diagnosing traumatic brain injuries as well as spinal cord injuries. They may also be of assistance in treating damage to peripheral nerves caused by burns or targeted trauma.
Chiropractors
Let us dispense with the elephant in the room straightaway. Many medical professionals and medical professional associations have deep reservations about the efficacy and methodology of chiropractic care. In official terms, chiropractic is a branch of alternative medicine. Its most common iteration seeks to relieve chronic pain through manual manipulation (or “adjustment”) of the joints or spine. There is vigorous debate as to the benefits and risks among the broader medical community. However, many thousands of people will swear by the therapeutic benefits of visiting a chiropractor. It is especially popular among athletes in high-impact sports, as well as laypeople suffering from chronic back pain. In short; any given individual is entitled to make the medical decisions which they feel are best for their own long term health and comfort.
While it would be dishonest to ignore the controversy which surrounds this discipline, it would be equally dishonest to ignore the people who will advocate for its benefits and claim themselves as living proof as its efficacy. Injured persons with chronic back or neck pain may wish to enlist the services of a chiropractor. There are practical reasons to do so. Chiropractors are plentiful and cost effective. Chronic pain sufferers with concerns about pharmaceutical treatment or surgery may also prefer the chiropractic approach.
A Note on Medical Referrals and Ethics
Oftentimes, a lawyer will offer medical referrals to clients. This is fairly standard practice and is generally reflective of a productive working relationship between the lawyer and doctor. So long as the doctor can demonstrate sufficient qualifications, the client can rest easy that they’ll receive the care necessary to guarantee the best outcome in their recovery.
However, if you feel pressured by your attorney to consult with a specific physician, you may wish to take your case elsewhere. An established personal injury attorney will often have a network of physicians to recommend to clients, so as to avoid any conflict of interest in court. As in all interpersonal interactions, listening to your conscience and intuition is often the best decision.
How Malloy Law Can Help
At Malloy Law Offices, we take pride in ensuring that our clients receive the highest standard of care for their injuries. We leverage our relationships with the medical community to help the injured on their road to recovery, sometimes at no up-front cost. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by another’s negligence, contact Malloy Law today and let us win your case.