Impairment Rating Evaluations for Auto and Work Injuries

Dec 07, 2020

Impairment rating evaluations (IREs) can be performed by medical professionals to determine the severity of any impairments caused by an accident that resulted in an injury.


When dealing with legal and insurance matters, data is essential. Thus, after an automotive or workplace accident, an impairment rating makes the process easier by providing a solid evaluation of impairments upon which everyone can agree. This will eliminate the potential for confusion, disagreement, and scams to occur.


An impairment rating is given as a percentage, based on the extent to which the injury has impaired the individual’s ability to function as they usually would. An injury must be considered permanent (stable, no longer improving, and expected to last at least a year) to receive an impairment rating. Once treatment plans have moved from improving the condition to managing it, an impairment rating may be given.


Getting an IRE for Auto Injury Treatment


After an auto injury occurs, the evaluation and treatment of any impairments ensure that the injured party can receive the compensations they deserve for medical costs, settlements, and work loss.


Although many people involved in collisions feel no immediate effects, injuries may become more evident over time. For this reason, it is crucial to make a medical appointment and have injuries evaluated as soon as possible.


Getting an IRE for Work Injury Treatment


Impairment rating evaluations are administered as part of workplace injury treatment after the individual has received benefits for 104 weeks. The IRE helps to determine the amount of compensation the employee should get and for how long. This number is essential for Social Security Administration disability benefits as well as worker’s compensation.


An IRE also determines the individual’s ability to return to work by looking at the disabilities caused by the impairment.


Get Your Certified Impairment Rating


Dr. Giles at Grand Oaks Healthcare in Athens is certified to provide impairment ratings through Chris Brigham, MD, one of the senior editors for the AMA’s guides to impairment ratings. His main focus is providing impairment ratings for patients who were injured in an auto collision or at work.


Were you injured at work or in an auto accident? Call Grand Oaks Healthcare to book an appointment with Dr. Giles today.

Herniated vs Bulging Discs: What Is the Difference?

10 Jun, 2022
There is a difference between a herniated disc and one that is bulging. At Grand Oak Health Care in Athens and Loganville, we take a careful look at your back to determine if you have any herniated or bulging discs before treatment is provided. Herniated vs Bulging Discs Your vertebral discs are cushions that help keep your spine in alignment. Over time, these discs can start to bulge or suddenly become herniated because of an injury. These discs are fluid-filled sacs, with an outer covering and a jelly-like center. If a disc is herniated, it is torn and leaks fluid into your body. With a bulging disc, the disc is not doing a good job supporting your spine, but it does not leak. Spinal Decompression for Bulging Discs When you see a chiropractor for pain related to a bulging disc, spinal decompression strategies can provide relief. The chiropractor looks at your spinal column and determines where you have any areas of compression. Light stretching, decompression techniques, massage, and ultrasound therapy can help ease the pressure on discs that are compressed and bulging. What to Expect from Chiropractic Care As part of any wellness plan with a chiropractor, you can expect an assessment to determine what is causing your back pain. The treatment plan is developed to meet your specific needs. You will see the chiropractor several times a week during the acute phase of treatment and slowly taper down your visits as you heal. Schedule Your Chiropractic Care Appointment at Grand Oak Health Care If you have back pain, it is time to see how our chiropractors can help. Contact Grand Oak Health Care in Loganville and Athens today at (706) 543-2584 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form .

How a Broadside Collision Affects Your Body

12 May, 2021
Side impact car crashes (a.k.a. "T-bone accidents" or "broadside collisions") tend to have a more devastating effect on the human body than all other types of car accidents, according to researchers at Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne. Even at speeds as low as 18mph, side impact car crashes routinely cause serious injuries to the occupants of the struck car. We at Grand Oak Healthcare want you to understand how such a collision affects your body and what to do to treat it. Whiplash, Concussions, and More A Result of Broadside Collisions  Two thirds of broadside collisions cause neck injuries that can lead to chronic pain and even paralysis, and studies show why they’re so common: the human body remains in place for a moment as the car lurches before getting yanked along for the violent ride. This stretches muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range. The sudden movement can injure nerves and discs in the spine, and cause a concussion. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause permanent damage. If left untreated, lingering symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, chronic pain, loss of coordination, depression, anxiety, vertigo, dizziness, epilepsy, blurred vision, eye pain, attention disorders, reading comprehension problems, and continued memory loss. To prevent this, get care immediately. The time between concussion and treatment is critical to recovery. We’ll want to see you for follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing. The likelihood of permanent brain damage dramatically increases if a concussion isn’t treated immediately. As for the rest of your injuries, our chiropractic care strives to restore range of motion and improve your body’s physical function by reducing pain, inflammation, and scar tissue (where applicable), along with restore range of motion. All of this translates to faster, better healing, and getting your life back to normal. Get the Benefit of Chiropractic at Grand Oak Healthcare Dr. Giles and his team focus on the effective, evidence-based spinal care that the people of Athens have come to love. We also help patients and their attorneys dealing with personal injury cases, providing the required paperwork to move ahead with insurance claims or legal action. Have questions or need to schedule an appointment? Give our Athens location a call at (706) 543-2584, our Loganville location at (770) 687-2655, or go online and fill out a contact form. We look forward to helping you.
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