Highlights of North American Whiplash Trauma Congress and BC Chiropractors' 66th Annual General Meeting
BC's Chiropractic Doctors urge ICBC to rethink 'No Crash / No Cash' Policy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 1999
Victoria — Low speed crashes can cause serious whiplash injury, according to research findings released this weekend at the North American Whiplash Trauma Congress in Victoria. Researchers from around the world updated B.C.'s Chiropractic Doctors, trial lawyers and some ICBC representatives in the mechanisms of whiplash injuries.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Freeman,[*] showed a video of human volunteers involved in low speed rear-end crashes -- at four kilometers per hour and eight kilometers per hour. "The research proves without a doubt that even at low speeds, people can suffer whiplash. The type of car, how they sit in the seat, headrest placement and neck posture are all contributing factors to the severity of the injury," says Dr. Freeman. "A person can suffer whiplash trauma to more than his or her neck. For instance, one of the human volunteers suffered a lower back injury in the eight kilometer per hour crash, because of the way he was sitting."
Dr. Freeman added, "The 'No Crash/No Cash' policy of [your] Insurance Corporation [ICBC] is ludicrous. We have the proof. Many people are injured at low speeds and have the right to receive proper treatment and compensation for their injuries."
BC's Chiropractors agree. "We understand that the principles behind ICBC's 'No Crash/No Cash' policy is a way for the Corporation to try to eliminate fraudulent claims, but we urge it to revisit its policy." says Dr. Don Nixdorf, executive director for the BC Chiropractic Association.
"With the present 'No Crash/No Cash' policy, ICBC claims adjusters can decide that the patient's injuries are 'soft tissue.' They can decide that the accident was a 'fender-bender' if little or any damage shows up on the vehicle. Soft tissue is really only a Kleenex product. We knew before that low speed crashes injure people. This is further evidence," says Dr. Nixdorf. "We urge ICBC to eliminate the barriers to patient treatment and recovery like the 'No Crash/No Cash' policy."
Dr. Nixdorf says that the chiropractic doctors' concern is for people who truly are injured and have a legitimate claim. He added that as chiropractic doctors specialize in the treatment of whiplash and spinal injury, they can provide the appropriate treatment, affording patients a faster recovery with less suffering.
Established in 1933, the British Columbia Chiropractic Association represents over seven hundred licensed chiropractic doctors in the province.
Chiropractic Doctors focus on the total body in relation to the spine, and specialize in their knowledge and treatment of its component bone structures, muscles and nerves. The third-largest primary care givers in the province, last year BC's Chiropractic Doctors treated over 475 thousand patients.
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A VHS format video of the proceedings from the North American Whiplash Trauma Congress is available to members of the media at no cost. To order a copy, please fax your request on your media outlet fax cover sheet to the BC Chiropractic Association at 604-278-0093.
[*Ed. Note: Dr. Michael Freeman is a clinical assistant professor at Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He is an epidemiologist and chiropractic doctor, and specializes in spinal trauma associated with motor vehicle accidents. In addition, Dr. Freeman is an expert in vehicular crash reconstruction. A complete bio is available.]
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Media Contact: Margo Bates Publicity Inc., Vancouver Telephone: 604-536-9501 Fax: 604-536-9506 E-mail: mbpr@istar.ca