Personal Injury
Jeremiah Ross
What You need to know if You are Injured on an ...

Amusement parks are cherished destinations where memories are made and thrills are experienced. By adhering to these regulations, amusement parks contribute to a vibrant and secure environment that allows visitors to embark on unforgettable journeys while knowing that their safety is in capable hands. Here is what you need to know if you are injured….

What You need to know if You are Injured on an Oregon Amusement Ride or Device

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3 Things Auto Insurers Don't Want You to Know About Your Whiplash Injury!

Most people in car crashes suffer some type of soft tissue injury.  Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the body.  Whiplash is a type of soft tissue or bony injury to the neck or brainstem caused by the sudden back and forth movement of the neck. These injure typically occur in rear end or side impact car crashes.  That movement rips, tears, and stretches the soft tissue in the neck, and can cause more severe injuries.  Some soft tissue injuries are minor and don't warrant medical treatment, while others can take months or years to heal.  Some soft tissue and whiplash injuries are permanent and may require surgical interventions.  Although these injuries are serious injuries, insurers regularly discount them.   Here are some things you should know about whiplash injuries that insurance companies don't want you to know:

1) Whiplash Injuries Are The Most Common Injury Associated with Motor Vehicle Crashes:  Insurers often discount claims of whiplash as malingering (making an injury up with the purpose of obtaining an award) or somatoform disorder (psychological issues causing physical symptoms).  They attempt to convince the injured person that they couldn't have suffered an injury that lasted for as long as it did.  Insurers for the bad driver often make the injured person feel as if they are the only person to have whiplash symptoms last as long as they did or were as severe as they were.  This is an effort to attempt to convince the injured person that the crash could not have injured them. However, the insurer is wrong.  Whiplash injuries are not unique.  In fact, up to 83% of people involved in a car crash suffer from whiplash injuries.   Medical studies have shown these are real injuries that can dramatically impact a person's life and health.

MRI and Whiplash Injury

2) Whiplash Injuries Do Not Typically Show Up on an X-Ray:  Insurance adjusters will often note that the Emergency Room X-Rays of the neck are unremarkable and do not show any evidence of injury.  Adjusters may attempt to convince the injured person that the crash didn't cause a whiplash injury because there is not any "objective" evidence of it (think X-Ray, or broken bone, misalignment of bones, etc.).  However, studies show  X-Rays do not typically show soft tissue injuries to the neck and whiplash type injuries.  However, MRI studies may show the soft tissue and whiplash type injuries.  However, MRI's may come with their own problems of high false positive results, and cannot see all pain associated lesions.  CT scans may be able to show some, but not all whiplash injuries.  However, they are costly and are not always readily available.  Other tests may not show injury.  This information is important because adjusters know that the injuries are real, but technology may not show these injuries.   A medical provider (Doctor, Osteopath, or Chiropractor) can diagnose whiplash injuries based on other objective findings without the need for imaging.   Insurers know this, but may try and convince you otherwise. 

3) Whiplash Injuries Can Be Permanent:  Insurance adjusters commonly say that the crash caused whiplash injury should have healed within 12 to 16 weeks.  They explain the lingering pain on "pre-existing" or age-related conditions. However, this ignores the science and studies that have shown that there is no scientific basis to assert whiplash injuries do not lead to chronic pain or permanent injuries.  These are real injuries that can be permanent. 

Hopefully, this information will assist you in combating an insurance agent to assist you in obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries.  However, if you are unsuccessful efforts or have questions for a personal injury lawyer, call Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658 for your free personal injury consultations. Ross Law PDX represents personal injury clients throughout Portland and Oregon.  PLEASE ASK A DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR WHIPLASH INJURY.  This post is meant for information purposes only and SHOULD NOT be RELIED UPON as or construed as medical advice, or legal advice.   Please remember that every injury is different and all legal cases are different.   

Injured on an Icy Sidewalk? Here is what you should do...

The Snow has arrived here in Portland.   The Metro region is blanketed in snow and ice.  This means roads are hazardous, but people often forget about the dangers posed by a slippery sidewalk.  The Oregonian recently reported that the snow and ice has resulted in an increase of people being admitted for fall injuries.  Most of these falls are caused by people slipping on ice or snow.  

Most people brush these falls off when they occur.  However, once costly medical bills arrive in their mailbox they properly question why they should be forced to pay for the medical bills if they were injured in a parking-lot or sidewalk that another person was responsible for ensuring it was maintained in a safe condition. 

First it is important to note, you may not be responsible for your injuries if you slipped on ice or snow. The law in many cities requires people to maintain their sidewalks and parking lots in a safe condition.  More specifically, if you live in one of the cities below and you don't remove the ice and snow on your sidewalk and/or parking lot you may be breaking the law:

  1. Beaverton Oregon, Title IV Chapter 42, 4.207-4.208
  2. Eugene Oregon, Eugene City Code 7.375
  3. Gresham Oregon 7.15.040 (5)
  4. Hillsboro Oregon Chapter 9, 9.16.010
  5. Lake Oswego Oregon LOC 42.06.310 and 34.02.035(20)
  6. Milwaukie Oregon Title 12 12.04.060
  7. Oregon City Oregon 12.04.030-12.04.031
  8. Portland Oregon Portland City Ord. 17.28.020 (A))
  9. Salem Oregon Chapter 78 78.220
  10. Springfield, Oregon Chapter 3.306
  11. Tualatin Oregon Title 02 Section 2-2-010 - 2-04

Many people do not make an insurance claim or seek out a lawyer, because they are under the improper assumption that because they fell they are solely responsible.  This may or may not be the case.  However, the law is pretty clear on these issues. If a person fails to maintain their sidewalk or parking-lot in a safe condition (removing snow and ensuring it is free of ice) then the property owner is responsible.  

If you were injured in a fall caused from ice or snow here are some tips:

  1. At the Scene: Once the area is safe, USE YOUR CELL PHONE to gather evidence: Take pictures of the area of the property where you were injured, the address of the property, witnesses, and any employees that assist you.  If there is ice or snow ensure you get pictures of the snow.  Try and get the depth of the snow.  If it is ice, ensure the photograph accurately depicts the ice. Call 911 if there is an injury and relay what the injuries are. Have witnesses text or email you their contact information from their phones. This way you can locate them later if needed. If you are not able do this because of your injuries, send someone to the property ASAP to gather information and photographs.
  2. Seek Medical Care: Immediately seek treatment if you are injured. Some businesses have no fault insurance that may pay $5,000.00 of medical bills. This does not mean you need to go to the Emergency Room, but you should schedule an appointment with a Doctor or Chiropractor to ensure you have not suffered serious injuries.
  3. Notify the property owner or business.  It is best to call a lawyer BEFORE you contact the property owner or business.  
  4. If you fell on Public Property remember to file a TORT CLAIM NOTICE.  
  5. Call A Lawyer at 503.224.1658: It won't cost you anything to chat, and you can learn about what you need to do next.

Falling on ice can be painful and can cause serious injuries. Many people initially laugh and are embarrassed only to later discover serious injuries. 

 

If you were one of the many people that reported to an Oregon Hospital for fall related injuries, feel free to call 503.224.1658 for your FREE personal injury consultation. Please remember these tips are not to be considered legal advice.  You may need to take additional steps to preserve your claim.  Also, the law is constantly changing, so refer to the actual law and do not rely on this post.   If you have additional questions click HERE.