Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the proceedings.)
Comparing the two lumbar MRI reports we see the difference. Following the attack by the dog Franz in 2006 the MRI records:
“A small amount of extruded disc material into the axillary portion of the canal on the left at this level, impinging on the left L5 root at its origin.”
This finding was not present in the earlier MRI.
This finding was also confirmed by Dr. Hambly in his operative report dated April 12, 2006, Dr. Hambly stated:
“Kerrie Rich is a 55-year-old attorney with a large disc herniation on the left at L4-5…there is a large high intensity zone within the substance of the L5-S1 disc.”
IV. FUTURE MEDICAL
As stated previously, Ms. Rich is still treating with Roseville Physical Therapy and with Richard Harty, P.T. Richard Harty’s March physical therapy will cost $360.00. Roseville Physical Therapy costs approximately $120.00 per visit; she is scheduled for approximately five more weeks with at least two visits per week. Therefore, the cost will be at least $1,200.00.
On January 31, 2007, Ms. Rich was examined by orthopedic surgeon, Howard Shortley, M.D. In his report Dr. Shortley discussed in part Ms. Rich’s condition and future medical:
“It is unlikely that Ms. Rich will improve in the future. Given her current age of 55 years, she is likely to grow worse over time. Because of this it is possible that she will require further back surgery.
In the future conservative treatment will be needed consisting of medication, short bursts of physical therapy and I cannot totally rule out another surgery as he may have a recurrence of the herniated disk at L4 5. It appears these are related primarily to the subject accident. A woman like this with pre-existing degenerative disease in the lumbar spine is more apt to rupture the disc from an injury and I believe that occurred in this case.
If further surgery is required, and I believe this is almost a medical certainty, I would estimate the cost at $125,000, and would expect Ms. Rich to be unable to work for about three months following surgery.” (See Part 5 of 7.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.