Q:

Hello Dr. M.


I was curious about impairment rating seminars? I am interested in forming 
possible alliances with attorneys to persue some PI in my practice. One 
thing I am not familiar with except for a brief intro to it in school was 
impairment ratings. I am not sure how complicated it can get as well as if 
an attorney would wanna work with me if I did not have a certification or 
some exposure to an impairment rating course. If certification is not an 
issue I would still like to take a course to be familiar with the process. 
If you know of any doctors who teach it;I would appreciate the info....I 
know of one taught by Dr. Cipriano, but his will not be taught for quit some 
time. Well if you could let me know of a few other names I may look into, I 
would appreciate it.



A:

Thanks for the e-mail .. many colleges have as a post graduate course Impairment 
Ratings .. hours which can be used for credit. Dr. Stanley Kaplan offers one usually in 
conjunction with a college or the Florida Association. I wish I knew their schedules .. 
you may want to call the ACA and ICA and see if they have a program offered soon.

The certificate is not necessary while working for an attorney. The AMA Guides .. is 
the text to use and if you just know how to obtain the numbers and combined them 
correctly that's all you need. You enter the courtroom .. either via deposition or in 
person as an expert .. they will not ask to see your credentials. But .. it's always a 
good idea to be educated and also being certified is an edge up while marketing 
yourself with the local attorneys.

If you care to learn how to do a proper rating .. either call Dr. Kapl;an's office for their 
material .. possibly a tape .. if they have one. His number is 407-636-6300 .. this is a 
number off his book .. it may be old. The AMA sells the guidebooks and they also 
have a video which goes through the book .. most of which doesn't apply to us.
You can get their number from 1-800-555-1212 .. ask for the bookstore.

I would recvommend you purchase my PI Workshop workbook .. which has a great 
deal of the information you need both to be an expert and to market to attorneys. 

If you wish to purchase my Smart Start Book ($59.95) or my PI Workbook ($20) or 
Workshop Workbook ($20) or the PR and Marketing Book ($20) or a document disk 
for the Smart Start Book with the forms and letters and a complete narrative with 
ratings for Windows and Mac (please request which) ($15) .. you can do it on-line at 
http://www.chirostore.com/cgi-bin/netcat.pl?page=cat8.htm .. or call my office at 770-
491-3639 and order it directly.

Have a Great Day

Dr. M