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Shaw Chiropractic
A Medical-Legal Newsletter for Personal Injury Attorneys
by Dr. Steven W. Shaw

Reputation, Credibility and Believability

The reputation of your client’s treating physicians is probably one of the most important factors in evaluating the strength of your client’s case for trial. This was recently brought to the forefront when one of Connecticut’s “Top” neurologists plead guilty to mail fraud related to billing for procedures not performed. This neurologist was used by most chiropractors and medical physicians on their personal injury patients in the New Haven County. He was also frequently seen in Hartford County personal injury files. In the case with the neurologist, FBI undercover agents posed as patients gathering irrefutable evidence against the doctor.
Rather than dealing with a grand jury indictment, the doctor plead guilty and agreed to pay a $450,000 fine for restitution. The neurologist now faces up to 21 months in prison.

While this is very sad for the neurologist, what happens to all the patients who have pending litigation related to his reports and opinions? What is going to happen to the value of your client’s case if this information is brought in front of a jury? The answer is self evident. There are literally thousands of injured parties who will be injured again for having dealt with a doctor who was so greedy that he put his needs above those of his patients.

Those of us who regularly treat personal injury patients are sensitized to the need for a propriety in all areas of management. We recognize that everything that is spoken, written and ordered is under exceptional scrutiny by third parties. Specialty referrals need to be considered with caution to assure that the evaluating doctors are of high ethics and superior credentials. We know that just because someone has an MD next to their name does not mean that they are above greed and avarice. This is exactly why every “I” is dotted and every “T” is crossed every step of the way.

How important is the reputation of the doctor?

There is no question that the doctors reputation is crucial. The above scenario demonstrates the worst case scenario. Issues relating to board certification, hospital privileges, license revocations, malpractice suits, billing improprieties, fraud investigations and indictments are of major concern. These days, you should look into these areas with every doctor your clients visit.

In a competitive environment malicious rumors can be started in an attempt to capture the business from competitors. Unfortunately, my office as been the subject of false rumors two times over the past 5 years. The first originated from a Hartford chiropractic group and was quelled simply by a cease and desist letter from my personal attorney. The second, allegedly originating from a West Hartford internist, appears as if it may require a slander suit to resolve as it has begun to take on a life of it’s own. Of course, I will not repeat the false statements in an effort not to flame the rumor. Suffice to say, if you should hear rumors about Shaw Chiropractic or me personally they should be brought to my attention so that they can be verified or denied. Also, by bringing me the information directly, we can stop the reprehensible acts of professional terrorism by pursuing the terrorists with civil actions.

Why Shaw Chiropractic ?
Those readers who regularly read this newsletter know that I rarely write in a self promoting style. The content of the newsletter is either academic or experiential and offer valuable information for the practicing trial lawyer regardless of which side of the fence they stand. However, the recent events require a modicum of self-recognition. With that in mind, consider the following:
-All Shaw Chiropractic physicians are board certified, board eligible or enrolled in programs leading towards board certification.
-Dr. Shaw hold a master degree in trauma biomechanics. He is a board certified chiropractic orthopedist and hold certifications in traumatology, advanced diagnostics electrodiagnosis, thermography, and accident reconstruction for medical professionals
- All medical physicians with which we refer to have reputations and qualification which we have checked and find to be exceptional.
- Shaw Chiropractic doctors participate in specialty training in trauma management.
- Shaw Chiropractic offices use the most up to date equipment and technologies.
- Advanced diagnostic procedures are available on site including x-ray, fluoroscopy, electromyography, nerve conduction, doppler, plethysmography, computerized muscle testing, x-ray digitizing, digital inclinometry, and more
- Shaw Chiropractic charges well within usual, customary and reasonable guidelines for our geographic region. Our bills are always reasonable and appropriate.
- Shaw Chiropractic doctors and staff have mandated compliance procedures in place to assure that treatment and billing are performed to industry standards.
- Shaw Chiropractic is respected in both the plaintiff and defense communities for being fair and unbiased when evaluating injuries.