With 83.3 million dogs living in U.S. households, it is no wonder that dog attacks and dog-attack liability issues have become hot-button topics. Discussion over dog liability is again heating up in the Maryland State Capitol.  On January 23, 2014, the House Judicial Committee will consider a bill sponsored by Delegate Luiz R.S. Simmons, D-Montgomery.  This bill would hold dog owners liable for damage caused by their dogs, based on the assumption that an owner knows or should know that their dog is dangerous. What to Do if YOU Are Bitten by a Dog: It’s important to see a doctor immediately if you’ve been attacked by a dog, even if you think your wound is not that bad.  You may not realize how deep the bite is and you may need antibiotics to treat an infection. Your doctor will examine the injury to see if the bite damaged any muscles, tendons, nerves, or bones. Then the doctor will thoroughly clean the bite wound to remove any dirt or bacteria and bandage or suture the wound, if necessary. Be sure to ask the dog’s owner about the dog’s rabies immunization status.  If the owner is not available, law enforcement personnel will […]

Our skilled professionals at Multi-Specialty HealthCare provide diagnostic and surgical services for car accident injuries, helping you recover quicker to get you back on your feet sooner.  And although we’d love to see your smiling face in our office, we know that the best scenario is to avoid a car accident all together. With that in mind, we invite you to check out the tips below to reduce unnecessary risks while driving. Minimize Distractions Eating, reading, loud, rowdy passengers including unsecured pets – these are among the numerous things that can distract you while driving, increasing your risk of an accident. The number one offender is your cell phone. Just put it down until you have reached your destination. (See Texting While Driving – Don’t Do It.) Similarly, avoid adjusting the radio or the GPS system if you’re behind the wheel. That’s your co-pilot’s job. And whatever you do, don’t take a “selfie” while driving. (Think I’m kidding? See this NBC News report.) Your kids, god love ‘em, can be a huge distraction. Whether it’s passing back a juice box or trying to break up a sibling brawl, if you’re paying attention to them, you’re not paying attention to the […]

Personal injury attorneys get a bad rap. Labeled “ambulance chasers,” they are often portrayed as shysters out to use your accident for their personal financial gain. But if you’ve been in an accident, a personal injury lawyer can be your best advocate. Here are a few reasons why you need an attorney to help you after an accident. Understanding the Law What’s the statute of limitations on filing an accident claim? Am I entitled to damages? How do I file a law suit? The complexities of the legal system can be overwhelming. And laws differ from state to state. An attorney’s main purpose is to protect your rights and assist you in procuring the best outcome. A personal injury lawyer will help you navigate the nuances of the legal system after an accident. Avoid the Insurance Company Run Around Newsflash: Your agenda and your insurance company’s agenda may not be perfectly aligned. Sure, your insurance company will compensate you for damages. However, it also wants to keep its costs down and reduce its overhead. Insurance companies profit by undercompensating injured persons. Your insurance representative may try to avoid long litigation by pushing you into a settlement. An attorney can help […]

The good news: You have a job. The bad news: Certain physical hazards can make the job dangerous. No one wants to get injured at work. Fortunately, most work-place accidents can be prevented if you learn to protect yourself and follow a few precautions. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting injured at work. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions If you’re unsure about a procedure or how to work a piece of equipment, ask your supervisor. Don’t keep your mouth shut for fear of looking stupid. This is especially true if you are new on the job. A seasoned co-worker who is training you may not think to tell you basic safety measures because it is commonplace to them. If you are uncertain, ask about potential hazards, correct safety methods, and what to do in an emergency. Wear the Appropriate Safety Gear Accidents happen but many injuries can be prevented with the proper safety equipment. A hard hat will protect your noggin if a hammer falls from the sky. Safety goggles can prevent that chemical spray from getting in your eyes. Learn what protective equipment (gloves, hazard suits, etc.) is suggested for your particular job and then […]

On Thursday, October 17th, Multi-Specialty HealthCare teamed up with Nourish Now, a Montgomery County non-profit dedicated to serving donated food to those who need it most, and So What Else, a diverse non-profit in the D.C. metro area dedicated to serving at-risk youth. Together, they provided a healthy meal for over 150 people in the Montgomery area in honor of the Maryland Legal Community. Families in need from all over Montgomery County joined together at the White Oak Community Center to enjoy a nutritious, 3-course meal. For many of the attendees, it was their first time dining out. Children, especially, were able to benefit from the experience as it allowed them to learn important socialization skills in a comfortable and safe environment. Though Multi-Specialty is known for providing medical care for personal injuries (e.g. car accidents and injuries on the job), it is also an active part of the community and assists those in need wherever possible. Multi-Specialty is proud to extend this tradition of community service through its partnership with Nourish Now. Helping those less fortunate was the goal of the dinner for Multi-Specialty HealthCare, as well as the entire Nourish Now program and most notably its founder, Brett […]

At Multi-Specialty HealthCare (MSHC), we treat many patients who were injured in car accidents, many of which could have been prevented. One of the most easily preventable causes of accidents and injury is texting while driving. We’ve heard the warning slogans: Stop the texts. Stop the wrecks. It Can Wait. One Text or Call Could Wreck it All We know the facts: A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into an accident than a non-texting driver (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2009). Text messaging while driving is banned in 39 states and the District of Columbia (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In 2010, “drivers distracted by a cell phone” was the cause of 18 percent of all fatal crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). But yet, we all still do it. Texting while driving. What is it going to take for us to put away our phones while driving? Hopefully, not a fatal accident. The easiest way to increase your safety while on the road is to PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN. Here are some additional tips: Out of sight, out of mind — Put your phone somewhere out of your sight — in your bag, in the glove […]

Unless you have a fortune teller’s crystal ball, you cannot foresee when, where, and if you’ll ever be in a car accident. But you can prepare for the unpredictable by learning in advance how to assess and address your post-crash injuries. If you’re involved in large collision, emergency medical services will arrive on the scene to give you immediate care. If necessary, they will take you to the nearest hospital. But what if the crash is minor and you’re not sure a visit to the hospital is needed? Here are some points to consider when assessing your injuries. Don’t Assume You’re Okay You’ve given yourself a once over and you have no noticeable cuts, breaks, or bruises. In fact, you feel perfectly fine. Don’t assume you are out of the woods. The stress of the crash can produce endorphins and adrenaline that can mask pain in your body. It’s possible to start to feel pain hours or even days after the accident. Know the Signs of a Concussion If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, the skilled team of healthcare professionals at Multi-Specialty HealthCare can help. Call us today at 1-888-334-4199. Did you lose consciousness? Are you experiencing seizures […]

To get the most out of your rehabilitation, it is critical to remember that your treatment extends beyond the office. This means that you should be working on your exercises frequently, even when you’re home. Carefully following your program on a regular basis, even out of the office, is essential in restoring your health. Treatment regimens provided by your physician are specifically designed with your needs and injuries in mind, and will aid in providing the quickest and strongest recovery possible. Multi-Specialty HealthCare has provided rehabilitation videos on our website, so that you can follow along at home to speed up your recovery. These recommended exercises will help you to: Increase blood flow to injured tissues, expediting the healing process Restore full range of motion, strength and endurance to the affected muscles Repair adhesions of muscle fiber, which when damaged contribute to pain, limited function and mobility Reduce pain Of course, we provide extensive rehabilitation in our offices, as well. To achieve the best results, our doctors will work with each patient to safely increase movement and mobility while alleviating pain by combining strength training, flexibility and postural exercises. Each of these components work together to maximize healing and health, […]