Common reasons for a request for reviewing medical records include the evaluation of whether or not pain is related to a specific date of injury incident, the medical reasonableness and necessity of treatment, the evaluation of pre-existing medical conditions of the same body part reportedly injured that would affect the apportionment in terms of treating or impairment ratings as well as a review of the proper techniques utilized for an AMA Guides permanent impairment rating.
Dr. Hennessey and Dr. Kozakiewicz review the medical records. There are no staff members that do this for them. Most often, the first medical record after the date of injury as well as medical records prior to the date of injury provide important information in regard to the extent of an injury on a particular date in question.
The doctors are accustomed to addressing whether or not the mechanism of injury could medically cause or contribute to a diagnosis in question. The doctors routinely look for whether or not the pain described in the medical records is consistent with the injury. Often, deficiencies are noted in medical records. For example, very most often on an inexcusable basis, physicians do not document the pain as anterior (front), posterior (back), medial (inner) or lateral (outer) portion of an arm or a thigh, for example. There are different structures in the front, back, inside or outside of an arm, forearm or hand. The location of pain, if mentioned, always helps provide a differential diagnosis (list of medical possibilities) as to a cause of pain.
The diagnosis per the medical records reviewed is either substantiated or not substantiated by the clinical examination findings and imaging findings noted thereafter. Dr. Hennessey and Dr. Kozakiewicz are well versed and understanding of common medicolegal issues including aggravation of a pre-existing condition, causality, serious injury for underinsured auto accidents and addressing issues within a reasonable degree of medical certainty.