hire an experienced attorney
for Your Injury case
Brian Dunmire is an experienced attorney who ONLY handles personal injury cases throughout Florida.
HIRE AN ATTORNEY, NOT A CASE MANAGER
Nobody expects to be in a car accident or have a slip and fall. When it does happen, you will have a lot of questions that you want answers for:
Who is going to pay for my medical bills?
Who is going to pay for my emergency room visit?
Who is going to pay for my lost wages?
Hiring the right attorney after your injury can make a world of difference.
It is also important that your attorney is accessible throughout your case to answer your questions. You want an attorney, not a case manager.
Brian prides himself in only handling personal injury cases and handling his cases personally.
BRIAN WORKED FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES
I graduated from the Florida State University College of Law and began working for a medical malpractice insurance defense firm in Tallahassee. I later moved to Orlando and began working with a well-established insurance defense firm here.
As an insurance defense attorney, I represented the insurance companies and people who caused accidents when claims were made against them.
I knew early on that I wanted to be a personal injury attorney. I also knew that the best way to become a great personal injury attorney was to learn the ins and outs of the insurance industry.
The best way to learn the tricks of the insurance companies was to work as an attorney for them for some years. Working for the insurance companies gave me a foundation to help and represent injured clients.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
People often want to know what a personal injury attorney can do for them following an accident. Retaining an attorney as soon as possible after your accident will help to preserve your rights as an injured victim and to maximize your compensation for your injury. Contact Brian today for your free, no obligation consultation.
HOW DO I HIRE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY FOR MY CASE?
[Updated December 5, 2020] Hiring the right personal injury attorney for your case is one of the most important decisions that you will make. I'm going to give you two simple rules that you should consider when hiring a central Florida personal injury attorney for your car accident or slip and fall case.
Rule number one: confirm that the attorney who you want to hire only handles personal injury cases.
First, ask any attorney who you speak with what types of cases they handle. Their answer should be simple: personal injury cases ONLY. If they answer anything other than this, you should not hire that firm. You should hire an attorney who only practices in the field of personal injury. It is simple as that. Let me elaborate
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions of the heart. If you had something going on with your skin, would you ever think to go to a cardiologist? No, you would want to go to a dermatologist because they specialize in skin diseases. On the opposite side, if you have a heart condition, you would not want to go to dermatologist, you would want to go to a cardiologist..
The same works for attorneys. Personal injury laws are extremely nuanced and complex. There is an entire chapter of the Florida Statutes dedicated to negligence alone. There are some attorneys out there who claim to handle both personal injury and family law cases. Would you want to go to a doctor who specializes in conditions of the heart and conditions of the skin? Absolutely not. So why would you trust your personal injury case to somebody who is spending a majority of their time in bankruptcy or family law court? It is a simple answer: You shouldn’t!
This is why I send a lot of work out to my attorney colleagues who handle other areas of law: because good attorneys know to stay within their specialty area. Dunmire Law does not handle family law cases. Dunmire Law does not handle construction defect cases. Dunmire Law does not handle bankruptcy cases. Dunmire Law ONLY handles personal injury claims.
In my opinion there is no room in personal injury law to handle anything else other than personal injury claims. The law is forever changing and even to this day I learn more and more about personal injury law than I knew the day before. If you are considering an attorney who handles personal injury and bankruptcy, how are they supposed to keep up with the fast, ever changing field of personal injury? I hate to speak in adages, but there is an old saying that someone with one foot in two boats ends up getting wet.
Rule number two: make sure you speak with the attorney who will be handling your case prior to hiring them.
My second rule is to speak with the attorney before you retain them. Sounds crazy, huh? Let’s go back to the doctor example: Would you trust your medical care and treatment to a doctor who you've never met before? What about your medical care and treatment to a doctor you’ve never seen or spoken to before?
Of course the answer to that is no. You don't even have to think twice about it. So, again, why would you trust your personal injury case to an attorney who you've never seen or spoken to before? It never ceases to amaze me when I speak to potential clients who were represented by other law firms and they don't even know the name of their attorney. They only know the name of the case manager who was assigned to the case.
Sure, attorneys have paralegals and staff who can help them with the everyday process of handling claims, however clients should know who their attorneys are and should be able to speak with them. There certainly will be times when clients speak with the paralegal or staff, but that doesn’t mean that they should not have contact with their attorney.
The other reason for this is because different attorneys have different styles of handling their cases. Different clients have different ways that they want their cases handled. Some clients want extremely aggressive “leave no stone unturned” representation by their attorney. Other clients simply want to have their medical bills paid but do not want to file a lawsuit.
There is no right-or-wrong way for a client’s feelings towards the handling of their case. It is important for the attorney to know which direction the client wants their case handled and what the realistic, desired outcome is. It is going to be very hard to make sure that the client’s wishes and the attorney’s case-handling style coincides if you do not know your attorney.
How do I Hire the Right Personal Injury Attorney for my Case?
So that brings me back to the question, “how do I hire the right personal injury attorney for my case.” If you follow these two rules - hire an attorney who only handles personal injury cases, and hire an attorney only after you have spoken to the actual attorney handling your case - you will have eliminated a large amount of law firms and attorneys from consideration.
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I Hurt My Back in a Car or Slip and Fall Accident, What Kind of Injuries Could I have and What are my Treatment Options?
One of the most common injuries that we deal with at Dunmire Law is an injury of the spine. If you were in an accident and think that you injured your spine, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical treatment to figure out if your injury is serious or potentially life-threatening. Once you have seen a medical doctor, contact Dunmire Law to discuss your rights as an injured party and discuss your options to be compensated for your injuries.
What is the spine?
Let’s start off with what the spine actually is. Commonly known as the backbone, the spine is a column of vertebrae, which are individual bones that interlock to form what is called the spinal cord. The spine gives the body structure and support, allowing us to move freely while protecting the fragile structure of the spinal cord. The spinal cord contains nerves that carry signals to and from the brain, and the rest of the body, and these signals aid in the function of muscles and organs, and control reflexes.
What are the different sections of the spine?
The spine is normally divided into four main sections: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral
The cervical spine is the neck region of the spine, consisting of seven vertebrae, labeled C1 through C7, which protect the brain stem, support the skull, and allow movement. This is one of the most common areas of the spine that can be injured after a central Florida car accident.
The thoracic spine is located beneath the cervical spine, consisting of twelve vertebrae, labeled T1 through T12, that are larger in size than cervical vertebrae. This region is the most common location for spinal fracture.
The lumbar spine, commonly known as the lower back, sits beneath the thoracic spine. It consists of five vertebrae labeled L1 through L5. The lowest segments in the lumbar spine are susceptible to injury due to weight and movement. In addition to the cervical spine, this is one of the most commonly injured parts of the back after a central Florida car accident or slip and fall accident.
The sacral spine, commonly known as the tailbone, sits lower than the lumbar spine at the very end of the back. It consists of two main bones, the sacrum and the coccyx. Though the sacral spine is considered stable in comparison to other regions of the spine, fractures due to falls are a common injury.
My Doctor Told Me that I have a Bulging Disc. What is a Bulging Disc?
The spine is made up of individual and interlocking bones called vertebrae, and between each vertebra there are discs, which have a soft center and tough outer layer, and perform like shock absorbers. So, what is a bulging disc and what causes it? After an accident the soft center of the disc may push on the outer lining holding the disc in. This is a very common injury after a car accident or slip and fall accident. However, a person may experience little to no pain if the level of severity is low. On the opposite end, it is very possible to have severe pain from a building disc. Overtime, a bulging disc could develop into a herniated disc.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc happens when the soft center of the disc pushes outward. This of this similar to a jelly doughnut. A herniated disc is when the jelly from the doughnut protrudes out of the dough. If the center of the disc pushes up against a nerve, it can become a serious issue, causing mild to severe pain. Other symptoms include numbness, weakness, and changes in reflexes. Herniated discs are often caused by car accidents and slip and fall accidents. It is possible that the pain from a herniated disc is so severe that it will require surgery.
Is it Possible to Have Multiple Bulging and Herniated Discs?
Yes, having multiple bulging and herniated discs is possible. The physical trauma caused by an accident, such as a car accident or a slip and fall accident, could cause multiple bulging and/or herniated discs. Another cause of multiple bulging and herniated discs is aging. As we age, our discs degenerate and weaken, leading to bulging and herniated discs, often multiple. This also makes people more susceptible to being injured in an accident.
Is it Possible to Have a Bulging or Herniated Disc and Not Know it?
Yes, it is possible to have a bulging or herniated disc and not know it. This is possible because some people do not experience symptoms. Whether or not a person experiences any symptoms depends on whether the disc pushes against a nerve or not, therefore someone without symptoms could have a bulging or herniated disc and be completely unaware. However, there is a possibility that after a car accident you could have severe pain from the herniated or bulging disc. After an accident, many doctors will order an MRI or CT scan to take a look at what might be happening with your back. This is so that the doctor can accurately determine the cause and extent of your injuries.
What causes bulging and herniated discs?
Bulging discs and herniated discs are frequently caused after someone has been involved in a personal injury accident. This includes car accidents, slip and fall accidents, or any other personal injury-type accident. It is worth noting that different people experience different levels of pain, so someone who has a small bulging disc may be in as much pain as someone who has a serious herniated disc. For this reason, it is imperative that you seek medical care after an injury so that a qualified health profession can ensure that you do not have any life threatening or very serious injuries.
Can a Car Accident Cause a Bulging or Herniated Disc?
Spinal injuries, like bulging and herniated discs are often caused by car accidents. This is because the spine can suffer significant trauma in a car accident, causing the discs to move out of place and bulge downwards, or push against a nerve. Though some people may feel pain, weakness, or numbness after hurting their back in a car accident, others will not have symptoms.
Can I get a Herniated Disc After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Like car accidents, slip and fall accidents can also result in herniated discs. Herniated discs caused by slip and fall accidents usually occur when the individual falls and lands on their back in a way that harms the spine and causes a disc to move out of place. A herniated disc could trigger symptoms such as pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations. However, some people experience no symptoms at all. It can also happen when a person falls forward and hits their head on the ground. Herniated discs after a slip and fall accident are very common.
Do I Need to Get Surgery if I Have a Herniated Disc?
Your doctor may advise surgery as an option for your herniated disc depending on the objective findings (the MRI or CT scan) coupled with your subjective complaints. However, most herniated disc cases do not require surgery. A surgical option is usually advised when all other nonsurgical options for treatment have been exhausted. Some determining factors for surgery include severe pain, numbness or weakness, and trouble standing or walking, preventing you from completing your daily activities.
I Need Surgery on my Neck, What are my Options?
There are many different types of neck surgery. Two common surgery options for neck pain are anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), and cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR), the most common being the discectomy. An anterior cervical discectomy is performed through the front of the neck, the disc is removed and fused but can also be performed through the back of the neck, posterior cervical discectomy. This usually depends on whether the entire disc needs to be removed or just part of the disc.
I Need Surgery on my Lower Back, What are my Options?
There are several different surgical options available, however surgery is only advised after all nonsurgical options have been exhausted during a six to twelve-week period. Some surgical options include decompression surgery, lumbar artificial disc, posterior motion device, and spinal fusion. Some surgery options are less invasive and lengthy than others, like decompression surgery. This procedure can be performed with minimally invasive techniques, resulting in little discomfort. Disc replacement involves removing and replacing a disc, and generally results in a quicker recovery. The posterior motion device is an implant that goes in the back of the spine and replaces the tissue removed during decompression surgery. This surgical option allows the patient more range of movement and physical stability in comparison to other options, such as a spinal fusion-a welding process where vertebrae are fused together to form one solid bone.