MEDICAL-LEGAL SERVICES
Can your doctor impact
your personal injury case?
Several factors can significantly impact personal injury litigation. The information below includes some medical-related considerations for personal injury litigants as they navigate their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Your personal injury lawyer is always the best source of any and all advice and information regarding your legal case.
Your doctor is one of the most important elements of your claim.
Your doctor’s experience, reputation, and expertise in diagnosing, treating, and assessing your injury are a big part of all personal injury cases.
At ORTHOPEDIC SPINE & INJURY CENTER (OSIC) injury clinics, our physician-led team of specialists not only has expertise in treating injuries but is also able to perform Medical Legal Evaluations and serve as Medical Experts on a case-by-case basis. Our providers are all trained to include details regarding your accident that may be very helpful for your claim. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for further information.
OSIC’s capabilities include:
- Independent Medical Evaluation.
- Neuropsychological Evaluation.
- Legal Record Review.
- Life Care Planning.
- Expert Testimony.
Seeking care immediately after your injury and obtaining an accurate, medically based diagnosis can impact both your recovery and your case.
At OSIC, we evaluate patients with acute, subacute, and chronic injuries. We have a dedicated team of physicians and medical professionals to gather and document information about the injury and make accurate diagnoses. Our evaluation includes assessment of the injury, relevant prior injuries and multiple injuries. We expertly triage injuries, guiding efficient testing and imaging through our dedicated network of both in-house and directly affiliated medical and surgical facilities. We coordinate, order, and oversee the gathering of information from various sources to carefully document and diagnose all the relevant details of injuries, many of which can be complex and multifaceted. Once a diagnosis is made, patients are referred to the appropriate specialists for care, all of whom are typically within our clinic.
From a case perspective, it’s almost always preferable to seek treatment from modern, specialty medical providers.
The type of treatment you receive matters greatly to optimize the outcome of your medical and legal cases. Our detailed documentation and ability to testify on behalf of our patients is critical. Treatment plans from well-regarded physicians, hospitals, and clinics, such as ORTHOPEDIC SPINE & INJURY CENTER (OSIC), are widely recognized and accepted as “standard-of-care” for treatment. Additionally, the comprehensive care offered by OSIC allows for a range of treatment modalities to be accessed within the framework of a physician-directed treatment plan.
Thorough, high-quality record-keeping and quick response to requests for medical records and evaluations can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.
Since OSIC is 100% dedicated to injuries resulting from accidents, our team has provided support to countless personal injury cases, attorneys, and law firms. Our practice was established with careful attention to record-keeping in mind.
We also understand that, as in medicine, timing is everything in law. Our prompt attention to requests for thorough, professionally prepared medical records and evaluations is unmatched.
Life Care Planning is a critical case element after either non-catastrophic or catastrophic injury.
The medical professionals at OSIC have proven expertise and experience in the area of Life Care Planning.
A Life Care Plan is a way to plan for the lifetime needs of an individual with a post injury disability. Physicians specializing in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are uniquely qualified to evaluate and develop life care plans for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries.
A Life Care Plan is a dynamic document based on published standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, data analysis, and research, which provides an organized and concise plan for current and future needs, along with associated costs, for individuals who have experienced a catastrophic injury or have chronic healthcare needs.(1)
According to life care planning methodology, topics that are considered for inclusion in a life care plan include evaluations, therapies, diagnostic testing, medical and adaptive equipment, aids for independent functioning, prescription and nonprescription medications, home care/facility care, routine medical care, transportation, architectural modifications, potential complications, surgical intervention, and vocational services. There is a standardized procedure for gathering information to develop a life care plan, including doing an interview with the client and family members, reviewing medical records and supporting documents such as depositions, day-in-the-life videos, school records, employment records, and tax returns, consulting with treatment providers and/or experts, and researching costs and sources for treatment. (2)
1 International Conference on Life Care Planning and the International Academy of Life Care Planners. Adopted 1998, April.
2 International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP), www.connect.rehabpro.org/lcp/about
Forensic services for an accident include scene investigation, data collection from event data recorders (EDRs), analysis of evidence, accident reconstruction using mathematical models, detailed reporting, and expert testimony in legal proceedings. These services aim to objectively determine the cause of an accident, how vehicles collided, speeds involved, and potential factors, ultimately providing crucial scientific data for legal and insurance purposes.
Key Services Provided by Forensic Accident Reconstructionists
Scene Investigation:
Forensic experts meticulously examine the crash site, collecting preliminary information such as skid marks, debris, and vehicle positioning.
Data Collection:
They retrieve data from various sources, including onboard EDRs (like “black boxes” in modern cars) to understand vehicle speeds, brake and throttle applications, and steering inputs.
Analysis:
Specialized software and physics-based calculations are used to analyze the evidence, determine friction, impact forces, and velocity.
Accident Reconstruction:
The core of the service involves reconstructing the sequence of events to explain “what, where, and why” of the collision.
Detailed Reporting:
Findings are compiled into detailed reports that include diagrams, data points, photographs, and the expert’s interpretation of the evidence.
Expert Testimony:
Forensic experts present their findings in a legally admissible format during depositions and trials, providing clear, scientific explanations to judges and juries.
Who Uses These Services?
- Attorneys: To establish liability and financial responsibility in personal injury or wrongful death cases.
- Insurance Companies: To make informed decisions about claims and determine coverage.
- Corporations & Individuals: To understand the circumstances of an accident involving their assets or themselves.
Types of Expertise:
Forensic investigators often include registered professional engineers in fields such as mechanical, civil, automotive, and materials engineering. They may also specialize in biomechanics, safety, and structural dynamics.
Examples of Accidents Investigated
Forensic experts handle a wide range of incidents, from low-speed collisions to complex crashes involving various types of vehicles and machinery, including:
- Passenger cars and pickup trucks
- Heavy commercial vehicles, buses, and tractor-trailers
- Motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians
- Agricultural equipment and construction vehicles
- Tire failures and mechanical malfunctions
QUICK LINKS
COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR ACCIDENT INJURIES
INTEGRATED PATIENT-CENTERED SPECIALTY CARE
FULL SERVICE DIAGNOSTICS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
While not always required, having a personal injury attorney can help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills and other damages.
You should seek medical attention first. Your health comes first, and having documentation from a doctor helps your insurance or legal case later.
Yes. Our physicians are experienced in providing expert medical opinions, reports, and testimony when required.
Other questions?
Call us at 801-797-8000 for answers.
TESTIMONIALS
“I wanted to share a quick win from a recent mediation—these cases resolved with a very satisfying outcome.
After we reached an agreement, my client thanked me and specifically mentioned how grateful they were for the referral to OSIC. They shared how much they appreciated having Todd Kreps quarterbacking their medical care. They were very complimentary of Todd’s thoroughness and the way he took the time to really listen and consider the bigger picture of how their injuries were affecting their life.
My client was also extremely pleased with the specialists Todd referred them to for follow‑up care. That level of coordination and attentiveness is exactly what makes OSIC such a valuable partner, and it made a real difference for both my client and the case overall.”
“Great experience. Very professional, but at the same time warm and friendly. They truly care, and apply their skills and knowledge in a compassionate and skillful way. I hold them up as an example of how I want to run my business. Not only would I recommend them to friends and family, but I do refer my own patients to them.”
“Ever since I started my care there they have been on top of every situation. Plus informing on follow ups and whatever is bothersome or troubling me. I appreciate there efforts and hard work for my comfort and care ❤.”
“I have found a place, I can trust to help me go through difficult times with efficiency and a honest concern for my well-being thanks.”
“Really good place, very professionally.”
“My accident and injury has been such a life-changing experience OSIC has been so helpful and understanding by guiding me and walking me through procedures that I’ve never been through. I will never go anywhere else.”