About Emergency Medical Conditions
After an accident, it is important to seek medical care within 14 days. Bart Gatz, MD, of American Interventional Pain Institute in Greenacres, Florida, is a licensed physician who can carry out your EMC to ensure you are eligible for the maximum insurance benefit. Dr. Gatz is a distinguished pain specialist who can not only help with your EMC, but he also specializes in helping patients heal after an accident.
What is an EMC?
EMC is short for emergency medical condition, which Florida Statutes Title XXXVII, Chapter 627 defines as the need for urgent care without which you could suffer long-term or even fatal consequences.
Although many accidents cause only minor injuries, some cause potentially life-threatening damage to your body, and in some cases, the initial trauma may become a long term or permanent condition unless you receive prompt treatment.
Being involved in an auto accident can be emotionally, psychologically, and physically traumatic. Even when the impact doesn’t seem too severe, it’s easy to overlook physical trauma when you’re distracted by the initial shock and accompanying release of adrenaline.
Why should I seek medical care after an accident?
You should seek medical care after an auto accident if you sustained any type of head injury, lost consciousness, or have any kind of sensory disturbance or pain, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured.
Concussions, brain injuries, neck injuries, or internal bleeding may cause only mild symptoms at first, so it’s always best to get examined by a doctor.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent after the accident, and you may only become aware of them several days later. Some of the symptoms people commonly experience after auto accidents, which need further investigation and possible treatment include:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Neck or shoulder stiffness
- Numbness
- Abdominal pain
- Issues with physical function
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If you start getting a headache that won’t shift a few days after the incident, for instance, there might be a blood clot in your brain or a more serious injury to your neck that’s getting worse.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in auto accidents, and it’s one of those injuries that can turn into a reoccurring problem without adequate treatment.
Back pain is also common after an auto accident, and in some cases, the pain could be a result of nerve damage within your spinal cord or damage to your vertebrae.
How do I arrange an EMC exam after an accident?
You can be referred by a medical professional for an EMC evaluation. Dr. Gatz is licensed to carry out EMC exams and has extensive experience of performing evaluations, particularly for people who’ve been in car accidents or experienced slip-and-fall injuries. After a car accident or slip-and-fall, it is important to seek medical care within 14 day of the accident.
If you’ve been in an accident or want to know more about EMC certification, call 561-641-0089 to request a consultation today.