The use of shoulder pain pumps   and the painful and often permanent condition of PAGCL (Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis) continues to raise questions among patients who have undergone shoulder surgery – as well as with the doctors who performed those surgeries. To answer some of those questions, we asked Frank Woodson, an Alabama attorney whose firm represents patients injured by pain pumps. Here are his answers:

Question : Is there any cure for chondrolysis (PAGCL)?

Answer: Not at this point. You know, people have been trying to look for a replacement for cartilage for years but never found one. The shoulder joint operates and moves in an entirely different fashion than the knee joints. It moves in a circular fashion and is much more complicated joint. So, when you have a situation where bone meets bone in that area, it is very painful and becomes difficult to perform many of your normal daily activities.

Question: How does a discovery statute affect the statute of limitations?

Answer: Some clients who have called our law firm had the surgery as far back as the year 2000. We start doing an analysis of where that person lives and what statute of limitations is applicable in that state as soon as they contact us. Then we look to see if their state has a discovery statute – which generally means that their statute of limitations may not begin to run until they knew or, by taking reasonable efforts, should have known the connection between the pain pump and the injury that they have.

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Question: What does your firm do once you receive someone’s medical records?

Answer: Well, we have nurses on staff. So, when we get someone’s medical records, our nurses begin to review those right away. If we have proof that a pain pump was used intraarticularly (or in the joint space) and chondrolysis resulted, then we know we have a case. We also have medical experts review the person’s medical records before they testify at trial.

Question: Should you obtain your medical records before seeing an attorney?

Answer: Yes. I would advise people that it’s important to realize that your medical records belong to you. If I had a bad shoulder, I would get a copy of my medical and billing records and I would go see an attorney who is handling these cases. Having those medical records in your hand definitely speeds up the process.

Question: How are pain pump attorneys  compensated?

Answer: Attorneys in these type cases are compensated on a contingency fee basis. So, anyone hiring an attorney to evaluate these claims is going to get a free evaluation. In fact, we’ve been contacted by many, many individuals who had shoulder surgery involving pain pumps and quite frankly, they don’t know whether the catheter was placed in the proper position or not. So, we can’t advise them one way or the other without getting medical records.

We have ordered and reviewed medical records provided by the clients and gone back and told them whether or not they have a claim. Of course, it doesn’t cost them anything to have us review their records and give them that information. If we review the records and the person does have a claim, then we file a case. We represent them and pay all the expenses unless we obtain a settlement or a verdict for them.

I think a lot of people have just gotten some peace of mind by contacting us. They’ve had shoulder surgery, they don’t know where the pain pump was located in their shoulder, but maybe they’re still continuing to have some popping and grinding or a little bit of pain. So, once we look at their records, we’ll be able to tell them whether the catheter was placed in the correct location.

Prescribed a shoulder pain pump post surgery and diagnosed with PAGCL? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. [Sponsored link]