Proving and documenting Temporarily Disability [TD] is now a standard PI protocol. Sadly, too many doctors still make no effort to measure the patient’s TD.

Professor and practitioner Lewkovich created a new form to make our lives easier and our cases much better.

Duties under Duress refers to those typical duties of one’s life that could be done during the patient’s recovery, but with difficulty.

Colossus and its progeny give additional value when valid TD is property presented.

The ‘duties’ involve employment, home or school and recreation activities. Your patient fills in the form at least each 30 days. For a copy of this excellent form contact johntawlian@shawnsteel.com.

And thank Dr. Lewkovich.

Anthony Igwemezie, Mervyn Wolf, Henry Koehler, Sang Hyun Kang and Matthew Young were disbarred from the California Bar Association, the State Bar announced April 11, 2011.

In each case the attorneys were charged with misuse of “settlement funds”. Specifically the charges ranged from -- failing to promptly pay funds, misusing the client trust account to pay business expenses, failing to pay medical liens, commingling funds, failing to maintain client funds in the trust, failing to tell the client he was in receipt of settlement funds, misrepresenting to client the status of settlement funds, signing two settlement drafts without the client’s knowledge or consent.

Most doctors do not believe the Bar effectively disciplines its members. However, when an attorney violates their “fiduciary” duties with the client trust fund---this is the bright line in the sand for which the Bar will prosecute.

Dishonest attorneys are most vulnerable when handling other peoples’ money.


http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Home.aspx

Practice Tip: Should you or your client have knowledge that an attorney is missing settlement funds---the Bar must be notified immediately.