Month: December 2020

In the event that you have experienced a physically debilitating car accident, one of the first things you will start thinking about is hiring an attorney. You can address the important question of “When should I hire a Personal Injury Attorney?” if you know where to look. There is a criterion in place for determining the right personal injury attorney for you. This criterion includes whether a law firm represents only plaintiffs and doesn’t defend insurance companies, the firm’s reviews and how much experience attorneys have in handling various personal injury claims. The following is a list of reputable personal injury attorneys and their firms in the Pensacola area.

Pensacola Personal Injury Attorneys

1) Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon

Having an active law practice since 1913, Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon practices both Personal Law and Business Law. Several attorneys in this firm are certified by The Florida Bar as specialists in their respective fields via its board certification program. This firm accepts personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency basis. This means no fees or additional costs are necessary unless there is a settlement or trial. So, the people at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon is a client-friendly firm that takes the time to get to know its clients. One of the attorneys in this firm you can hire is Warren R. Todd. A personal injury and wrongful death lawyer for over 25 years, Todd has the title of “Top Rated Lawyer” in the personal injury area of law practice.

2) Morgan & Morgan

This firm had humble beginnings where the founder hired the wrong lawyer to handle the case of his injured brother. So, he started their very own law firm to help others. Morgan & Morgan is a family-run law firm that has attorneys experienced in a wide variety of practices, including car accident cases. When it comes to personal injury cases, this firm has an outstanding track record. Over the course of many years, Morgan & Morgan has won clients over a combined total of $9 Billion.

One past client, a physical therapist, stated that this firm quickly returned calls and was thorough with the process. This client recommends Jonathan Minchin, who has been practicing law in Florida since 2009. Having a Juris Doctor degree, Minchin specializes in car accidents, personal injuries and wrongful death cases.

3) ZarZaur Law, P.A.

Having a superb Avvo rating of 10.0, Zarzaur Law, P.A. is a firm that will fight to right the wrongs of those who have suffered personal injuries. According to Avvo, 85% of Joe Zarzaur’s practice areas revolve around personal injury, wrongful death, and vehicle accident cases. In Escambia County, Zarzaur’s clients have received over $9.3 Million in jury verdicts. Joe founded his firm in 2007 and he has proceeded to attain honors such as membership to the National Board of Trial Advocates in 2011 and an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell in 2012.

One past client stated that his initial meeting with Zarzaur began with him explaining the intricacies of his specific car accident case. Zarzaur and his staff maintain professional standards and can expedite the process in case legal communications break down.

4) The Watson Firm, PLLC

If you need responsible representation in your personal injury case, The Watson Firm, PLLC specializes in this very field. Serving as a Bar Member in many legal associations, including the United States Supreme Court, Aaron L. Watson established his firm in 2016 and has since won clients a combined total of over $22 Million.

Watson’s amazing legal work has earned him multiple accolades. These include being voted the Best Attorney by the Pensacola community at the 2020 Annual Best of the Coast Awards. Additionally, he received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell. No matter what kind of personal injury case you have, The Watson Firm will show you very clear and simple steps to take in solving your issues. This firm treats clients like family and will offer you a free initial consultation.

5) Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A.

This firm was founded by Thomas Craft Staples in 1973, and with the help of Ed Ellis, this firm has offered a combined legal experience of over 55 years. This firm is known to handle lawsuits that are extremely large and complex in structure. You can also be assured that this firm will take on a wide variety of personal injury cases. For example, they may take on your bicycle, motorcycle and motor scooter accident cases.

While he handles medical malpractice cases, Thomas Craft Staples also handles personal injury cases. Staples has received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell. Additionally, he was is one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the Florida Panhandle since 2015. This firm has won clients a combined $7.8 Million in verdicts and settlements of personal injury cases.

6) Levin Papantonio

Specializing in personal injury cases since 1955, Levin Papantonio has won clients over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements. If you decide to hire an attorney from this firm, they will clearly walk you through the process of a personal injury case. They will describe to you what you need to prove in your case. Additionally, they describe what they will do to maximize your claim.

The types of personal injury cases this firm handles include automobile accidents, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, medical devices, drug injuries and defective products. One attorney you can hire for personal injury cases is Rachel Gilmer. Gilmer currently manages the firm’s motor vehicle department. Additionally, she is on the Top 40 National Trial Lawyers Under 40 list and a Super Lawyer Rising Star.

Taking Action with Your Personal Injury

If you have suffered a personal injury and have a significant case to present, it is highly recommended that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. One fact about personal injury attorneys is that they specialize in what is known as tort law. Private, civil injuries or wrongs are covered in this area of practice. This can include defamation and breaches of contracts. The main objective of tort law is to make the affected party whole again and to discourage other parties from committing the same errors. So, if you seek compensation for your personal injury, it is important to take action immediately.

If you are dealing with a personal injury, and need physical treatment, our team can help you. Our personal injury chiropractor assists clients with their injuries. Additionally, we help patients prove their injuries in case they have to go to trial. So, contact our team today for help with your personal injury treatment.

There is a great debate concerning the role of chiropractic care. Should it be a normalized, routine part of initial care? Should it be a primary treatment method for people who don’t recover with the help of other treatments? Depending on the physical condition of a patient, will that patient have a faster recovery with chiropractic care? There are always safety protocols being taken by professional chiropractors. When they have the right training and licenses, they can provide sufficient chiropractic care for those who can heal from treatable conditions. If you are unsure if seeing a personal injury chiropractor is the best healing option for you, then consider the following statistics.

Seeing a Personal Injury Chiropractor For Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

After experiencing a car accident, back and spinal cord injuries can be some of the most problematic injuries to address. Low back pain in particular was put under the microscope in a 2018 study published in JAMA Network Open. Chiropractic treatment of low back pain was examined via 750 active-duty military personnel. Half of these patients received the usual care, including self-care, physical therapy and medications. The other half received the usual care as well as 12 maximum chiropractic treatments. After six weeks, those who received chiropractic treatment reported less pain intensity and a higher satisfaction with their treatment.

Ice or heat application is effective for minor back pain, along with pain relievers. Minor muscle strains often heal within weeks. Muscle tears that require surgery will typically involve therapy and a few months to heal. Surgically repaired bones in the area of the back require three to four months to heal completely.

For Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that extends from the lower back and goes down to the back of the legs. When one suffers from sciatic nerve pain, the intensity of the pain can vary as well as its frequency. Dull, achy, sharp and electric shock-like shooting leg pains best describe sciatic nerve pain. Nerve compression generally causes sciatica. One spinal disorder that leads to sciatica is lumbar spine subluxations, also called vertebral misalignment.

A treatment plan for sciatica may include multiple different treatments. Ice/cold therapy is a treatment that reduces inflammation. Ultrasound therapy is a treatment that increases circulation and reduces cramping, swelling and stiffness. Spinal adjustments can help reduce nerve irritability which causes inflammation, muscle spasms and other symptoms linked to sciatica.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a small portable muscle stimulating machine designed to reduce muscle spasms and control acute pain. Keep in mind that other disorders outside the scope of chiropractic care can also cause sciatica. In this case, it is preferable to contact another type of doctor for help.

For Head and Brain Injuries

It is common for drivers and passengers to suffer head and brain injuries by hitting the windshield, side window or other objects in the car following an accident. Many people get concussions from a blow to the head. Also referred to as a traumatic brain injury, a person’s brain bounces around inside the skull. But, symptoms of a concussion may not be immediately noticeable. Symptoms include headaches, migraines, nausea, dizziness and neck pain. It can take days or weeks before the symptoms become apparent.

Chiropractors commonly treat cervicogenic headaches and migraines. Neck pains usually cause cervicogenic headaches. On the other hand, migraines generally occur on only one side of the head.

Concerning mild concussions, symptoms normally diminish two to three weeks after onset. More severe concussion symptoms such as subdural hematoma (bleeding under the skull) require a visit to the hospital. Chiropractic care, specifically when spinal manipulation is applied, can improve headaches and migraines, according to research.

Personal Injury Chiropractic Care For Neck Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries to sustain after a car accident. Rear or side-impact crashes cause your neck to abruptly snap. Injuries can be minor such as mild neck strain, or they can be more severe such as vertebral dislocation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can treat mild neck strain, whereas vertebral dislocations require surgery. It can take several weeks to completely recover from whiplash symptoms, and a full recovery after surgery can take months.

Different therapies for treating neck pain were examined in a study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine. 272 study participants were divided into three groups. One group received spinal manipulation from a chiropractor. Then, the second group was given over-the-counter pain relievers, narcotics and muscle relaxers. Lastly, the third group could only do at-home exercises. All patients reported a 75% pain reduction after 12 weeks. 57% of the chiropractic group experienced pain reduction. In comparison, 48% of the exercise group and 33% of the medication group experienced pain reduction. So, for neck injuries, chiropractic care is the best option for treatment.

Lower Extremity Injuries

A wide variety of lower extremity injuries can occur following a car accident. Without the protection of a seat belt, your legs may hit the dashboard or steering column. Leg, knee and foot sprains (ligament injuries), and damage to either muscles or tendons are common lower extremity injuries. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, 13% of injuries sustained in 190 examined car accidents affected the lower limb.

For minor lower extremity injuries, over-the-counter pain relievers are best. However, a cast or other means of external support are best if you have a broken bone. The most severe bone breaks will require surgery. A broken leg may need six to eight weeks to properly heal. Chiropractors cannot help with broken bones, unfortunately. But, they can help with adjusting your muscles after your bone is healed.

The Safety of Chiropractic Adjustments

One major reason why patients prefer chiropractic care is because it is a completely drug-free option for therapy. Also known as spinal manipulation, a chiropractic adjustment is a procedure that involves the use of hands or small objects to apply a controlled force to an affected area of pain. The main objective of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore normal function and balance in the joints and muscles. Chiropractic treatments can reduce stress on the immune system, minimizing the potential of developing diseases.

There are potential risks and side effects associated with chiropractic adjustments. After an adjustment, if you experience headaches, fatigue or discomfort in parts of the body, then you may need to consider other options of treatment. But, chiropractic care is a very safe treatment option for people with spine issues.

Speak With a Personal Injury Chiropractor

If you decide that chiropractic care is the best healing option for you, please contact us! You can achieve your goal of healing from your injuries with the help of a professional personal injury chiropractor like Dr. Derek Finger. The certified staff at our Pensacola chiropractic office promises that you will receive the best treatment possible to recover from your injuries.

Every year around 2 million drivers sustain permanent injuries from car accidents. Whether the accident is from a distracted or reckless driver, suffering an auto injury can be life-altering. Let alone, handling an auto accident is stressful. From collecting insurance information, contacting the police and filing a claim, it is easy to overlook your well-being if you aren’t bleeding or have a noticeable injury. If you have been in a car accident, don’t wait to get checked out for what seems like minor injuries or pains. They could lead to being a major issue later on. So, seek the help of an auto injury chiropractor.

Do you need to see a chiropractor?

Amid an auto accident, your adrenaline skyrockets and easily masks the pain of an internal injury. If you have been in an auto accident, the jarring results aren’t always noticeable until a few days, weeks, months or even years afterward. As a result, people mistake their discomfort and dismiss the appropriate medical attention.

It is critical to seek an auto injury chiropractor to prevent short-term injuries from becoming long-term, chronic pain. On a regular basis, seeing an auto injury chiropractor will work out the injuries sustained from the accident and aid your body in proper recovery.

Seeing an auto injury chiropractor after your accident will document your injuries for your medical records. In terms of legal matters, medical documentation of your sustained injuries and expenses are vital for your case. The documentation proves your injuries were sustained from the accident and allow you to recover damages from the insurance company or the responsible party. Waiting to seek medical attention for your injuries can hurt your case by not providing enough evidence that your injuries resulted from the auto accident.

Symptoms of an auto accident

As symptoms of an auto injury are notorious for not presenting themselves until weeks later, it is important to seek medical care before these injuries rear their painful heads. Some symptoms of an auto accident include but are not limited to the following:

1. Upper Body and Shoulder Pain – As a result of being propelled into the dashboard, steering wheel, or the side of your car, injury sustained to the upper back and shoulders is common. You may notice muscle spasms, a decrease in range of motion, muscle weakness or pain when you move or lift your arm.
2. Neck Pain and Stiffness – Noticing your neck’s stiffness and immobility can commonly conclude you are suffering from whiplash. Associated with rear-end accidents the impact can leave you with dizziness, headaches, and long-term chronic pain.
3. Spinal Discomfort – Chances are if you suffered a neck injury from an auto accident, you have damage done to your spinal cord. Spinal damage can result in misalignment, stiffness, immobility, numbness, and severe nerve damage.
4. Chest Bruising and Soreness – Chest pain is commonly due to the devices that save your life during an auto accident. Seat belts and airbags are in place to protect you from the impact. But, they can leave you with bruising and soreness.
5. Knee/Leg Pain – In specific situations, an auto accident can risk torn ligaments in the legs, fractured kneecaps or joints, and damaged muscle tissue.

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms from an auto accident, seeking an auto injury chiropractor can help repair the damage, correct your body’s alignment, and help you recover as fast as possible.

How soon should you see a chiropractor?

Get in to see an auto injury chiropractor right away. The sooner you begin chiropractic care, the sooner you are on the road to recovery. If you wait to receive treatment, your injuries risk getting worse and will take longer to heal. You want your injuries to heal correctly and in a timely matter. Delaying will prevent your injuries from healing correctly, if at all.

It is best to see a chiropractor within three days of your accident. This way, they can examine and understand your symptoms. Additionally, they can then devise an effective plan of action to relieve persistent pain. Furthermore, they will minimize ongoing issues such as inflammation, and promote healing.

A chiropractor can evaluate your neck and spine for misalignments, soft tissue injuries and legally document these injuries for your medical records. Chiropractic care can greatly improve your recovery with non-invasive treatments and without pharmaceutical prescriptions.

How long should you seek chiropractic care?

Depending on the severity and type of musculoskeletal injuries you have, it will determine the treatment plan and length of time to heal the injuries. The injuries that require chiropractic care will entail frequent visits in the beginning. The more severe the injuries are, the more visits to the chiropractor are necessary to give you the best care possible.

The period of care varies depending on the severity and number of injuries the chiropractor is tending to. Every case is different and varying needs will require specific treatments. Your auto injury chiropractor should give you a time frame of how long your body will need to heal. The frequency of your visits will also depend on your level of pain and how you feel.

The visits will wane once your body is responding to the adjustments and alignments. The goal of chiropractic care is to relieve your pain and help repair the damage done by the auto accident. Once you reach the full point of recovery your visits will be reduced to as needed. If your injuries heal, a trip to the chiropractor once or twice per year is beneficial for regular adjustments.

Benefits of seeing a chiropractor after an auto injury

A chiropractor can be a lifesaver after sustaining injuries from an auto accident. Auto accidents can be traumatizing to your body and drastically alter your life. Thankfully, seeking chiropractic care after an auto injury has numerous advantages over surgery and prescription medication.

Non-invasive treatments involve manipulation of the body to restore mobility to your muscles and relieve pain. As an alternative to surgery, chiropractic adjustments realign your spine and joints. With that being said, alignments significantly reduce your pain and promote healing.

Most prescription pain killers mask the underlying cause of pain from an auto injury. When you aren’t sure why something hurts, a chiropractor can usually identify the pain point and reduce or relieve the pain. Manipulation of the spine releases a pain-relieving hormone and can reduce the pain in your entire body.

Ignoring the injuries from your auto accident is consequential to your recovery. Without an auto injury chiropractor, your injuries can turn into long-term pain and your body won’t heal properly. So, it is best to deal with your auto injuries early on to prevent future chronic pain and further issues.

Find the right auto injury chiropractor for you

With prompt, adequate chiropractic care after an auto accident, you can reduce your chance of long-term injuries with safe and non-invasive treatments. The purpose of chiropractic care is to reduce pain, increase mobility and help your body heal from traumatic auto injuries.

It is essential to find an auto injury chiropractor that pays careful attention to your specific medical needs. If you suffered injuries in an auto accident and need a chiropractor in Pensacola FL, please reach out and receive treatment from our highly experienced staff.