I hear THIS complaint about lawyers virtually EVERY DAY.

Biggest Complaint Clients Have About Their Lawyer...

The biggest complaint I hear from patients regarding their attorney is lack of communication. Multiple calls with no response.  The response from the lawyer's office is that the "lawyer is in court." Could be true or maybe it's not true, but either way, most clients can handle that, as long as they get a call back at some point.

But many times, the call never comes.

Now, I know that if you asked most lawyers, they would tell you that the number one question they get when a client calls, is "How is my case doing?"  And, I get it.  It's the same question over and over again, and its exhausting to have to be bothered with the redundancy of answering the same question over and over again.

But, come on.  As an attorney, you are getting paid very well to answer a few stupid questions.  It's not like it's that difficult.  What I am trying to say in a nice way, is that it could be worse, and for what fees that your client's are going to pay you, at least give them good customer service.   It's not so bad and it okay to take a few minutes out of your day to reach out to your clients...even if you just leave a message on voicemail.

So, I have a suggestion:  Take a little bit of time once every two or three weeks, and try and make a preemptive call out to your client.  Simply give a quick update.  For example, "Hey, its Attorney xyz, I just wanted to let you know that everything looks good on my end.  I sent out the letters of representation and requested policy information.  Just make sure you continue to take care of your injury, and I'll keep you posted in a couple of weeks if I have any updates.  But, don't worry, I'm on top of it."

If you did THAT, and that ONLY, you would be providing a great service to the client, and at the very least you will be easing their mind.  If you made a call like that one or two times a month, not only would you satisfy the client, but they would also be more inclined to stay more compliant with treatment, make referrals to you, and EVEN if the case did not turn out wonderful, at least the client would know that you were working very hard and staying on top of their case, and did the best you could do.

I have been treating accident patients in S. Florida for almost 22 years now.  If any of your client's need a treating doctor in the S. Florida area, please have them give me a call.

Thank you.

Dr. Alan Himmel
954-659-8600  

Florida PIP No-Fault: Do You Have a Career as a Chiropractor?

Florida PIP No-Fault:  Do You Have a Career as a Chiropractor?

Dr. Alan Himmel

Imagine a career in which you spend at least eight years preparing for, between undergraduate and professional school.  Now imagine taking several national board exams and a State Board Exam.  Now, you wait anxiously and with excitement to start your life as a health care provider.

At the end of all this, you are licenced (if you pass the State exam), which by the way means exactly nothing in terms of your ability to pay back student loans, let alone having enough money to eat.

Next, you find out that in your State (the State you decided to be licensed and settle down) there is a never ending fight between the insurance lobby and the health care professionals.  If the insurance lobby wins, you are simply out of a job, and have wasted the last decade of your life, and over a $100,000 in student loans.

I know, I know.  Cash Practice, right?  We don't need insurance... Okay.  Lets get back to planet earth.

You cannot prepare for your future as a chiropractor in Florida.  You cannot comfortably invest the overhead and the expense of an office, or comfortably have a family, a house, etc.

And, people ask me why don't I get myself a nicer car?  After all, you're "a doctor."

I see kids driving new cars all the time.  If a kid can afford it, certainly a doctor can, too.  Well, maybe so.  But the difference is that the 20 year old kid who has just bought a new car, does not have to constantly read the newspaper every day, and worry that his livelihood has been taken away.  Also, he likely does not have the expenses of someone who has just graduated and is trying to get on his feet. He may still have a future, whereas chiropractors in this state, may not have a career, in the long haul.  The 20 year old can more easily plan a future.  A chiropractor in Florida cannot plan ahead, without worrying it could all be taken away.

Interesting that when I graduated almost 18 years ago, I remember doing some "fill in work" for a DC who was going out on a seminar.  He had been practicing a very long time--maybe like 30 years or more.  He is long retired at this point.  He said to me, and I will never forget:  "I feel sorry for whoever is coming into this profession at this time."

I didn't know exactly what he meant.  He had a busy and thriving practice.  What could be so bad?

I think that the big deal for chiropractors in Florida is the uncertainty.