Chiropractors and personal injury lawyers who have recently started their own practice are often tempted to accept just about anyone who has been in an auto accident, but “This can be a monumental mistake,” warns California attorney Shawn Steel.
Steel’s practice concentrates on personal injury law and strongly supports the chiropractic profession. He lectures at Palmer West Chiropractic, Life Chiropractic College West and Southern California University of Health Sciences.
“If there is one professional area where attorneys and chiropractors should be on the same page, it is in recognizing when to say, “Thanks for coming to see me, but I don’t think that my office will be able to help you.” He provided this list of red flags that must be recognized and immediately acted upon.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
1. The Know-It-All
These people know more than the doctor and the lawyer combined. They constantly second guess the doctor and argue with their lawyer, consuming a tremendous amount of time and energy.
It is usually better for your mental health to let that know-it-all patient go! This person brings nothing but aggravation to the lawyer’s office, often saying things like, “I had a friend who with the same facts as my case settled for eight times as much as you want me to take, so what’s wrong with you?”
2. The Grouch (a First Cousin of the Know-It-All)
The Grouch is easy to spot. Your staff members are the first ones to notice that you’ve got a Grouch in your office. Always listen to your staff as they will tell you the truth.
The Grouch complains about everything! They blame the staff for not setting their appointment as the best time, not giving them adequate advance notice, and make up stuff to gripe about. They take the joy out of practice for both doctors and lawyers.
They are miserable human beings. While it is best to unload this Grouch, you can try to rescue the situation by saying, “If you want to stay with us, you need to stop complaining.”
3. The Split Personality (a Cousin of the Grouch, a Real-Life Version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
This person is miserable to your staff: insulting and yelling. However, they are as sweet as cotton candy to you. Give them one warning: “Yell at my staff one more time, and you are out of here! No one deserves to be spoken to that way.”
Doctors and lawyers need to understand there is a great liberation when you let that person go. Mentally, you are free from a burning, destructive sensation in your life. Neither you nor your staff should have to experience this.
4. The Doctor/Lawyer Hopper
These people immediately trash the last lawyer/doctor who was handling their case. If it is just one attorney, or one doctor, that can happen. But if it is multiple doctors or lawyers? You must think, “This person will never be happy with me, no matter what I do. So why go through the effort, as I will no doubt get fired anyway.” Decline to accept them.
5. This Person Gives Me a Bad Feeling!
If there is something inherently negative between you and this potential patient/client, do not accept them. You do not need a reason. It may not be rational, but trust your inner voice. “Trust the Force!”
6. Beware of the Wandering Thief
This person’s goal in life is to take advantage of anyone whose path they cross. They intend to cheat you before even walking through your door. They may have a legitimate accident case. They may be hurt. But their sole objective is a payout in their pockets and not yours!
After care is complete:
(A) The Wandering Thief fires the lawyer.
(B) Negotiates the case themselves with the insurance adjuster.
(C) Gets all the money, pays none of the treatment bills or attorney fees. Then they vanish.
The giveaway for the lawyer is that, after signing the retainer agreement, the client will pressure the lawyer to have the doctor order lots of medical testing, to generate high bills.
Once a settlement amount it negotiated – but not paid – they will be unhappy with the numbers, fire the lawyer and try to settle the case themselves. Even if the attorney’s name is on the settlement check, they may forge the lawyer’s name, take the money and disappear.
A Business Prof Offers His Formula
Lyle Sussman, the former chairman and professor of management, College of Business, University of Louisville, offered this recommendation for anyone in business who needs to say “No.”
“Say no if there is a disconnect — differing expectations — between what the person thinks you will provide and what you know you can deliver.
“Every plastic surgeon can tell a story about a patient disappointed because the procedure did not produce the gorgeous effect they anticipated.”
-
JPMorgan's Drop Drags on the Dow: Stock Market TodaySmall-cap stocks outperformed Tuesday on expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates on Wednesday.
-
Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Is a Big RiskFear of losing money could actually cost you in retirement. Find out why being too conservative with your life savings can hurt you and how to stop that from happening.
-
Tax Refund Alert: House GOP Predicts 'Average' $1,000 Payouts in 2026Tax Refunds Here's how the IRS tax refund outlook for 2026 is changing and what steps you can take now to prepare.
-
Meet the World's Unluckiest — Not to Mention Entitled — Porch PirateThis teen swiped a booby-trapped package that showered him with glitter, and then he hurt his wrist while fleeing. This is why no lawyer will represent him.
-
Smart Business: How Community Engagement Can Help Fuel GrowthAs a financial professional, you can strengthen your brand while making a difference in your community. See how these pros turned community spirit into growth.
-
In 2026, the Human Touch Will Be the Differentiator for Financial AdvisersAdvisers who leverage innovative technology to streamline tasks and combat a talent shortage can then prioritize the irreplaceable human touch and empathy.
-
How Financial Advisers Can Deliver a True Family Office ExperienceThe family office model is no longer just for the ultra-wealthy. Advisory firms will need to ensure they have the talent and the tech to serve their clients.
-
Why Investors Shouldn't Romanticize Bitcoin, From a Financial PlannerInvestors should treat bitcoin as the high-risk asset it is. A look at the data indicates a small portfolio allocation for most investors would be the safest.
-
I'm a Financial Pro Focused on Federal Benefits: These Are the 2 Questions I Answer a LotMany federal employees ask about rolling a TSP into an IRA and parsing options for survivor benefits, both especially critical topics.
-
Private Credit Can Be a Resilient Income Strategy for a Volatile Market: A Guide for Financial AdvisersAdvisers are increasingly turning to private credit such as asset-based and real estate lending for elevated yields and protection backed by tangible assets.
-
5 RMD Mistakes That Could Cost You Big-Time: Even Seasoned Retirees Slip UpThe five biggest RMD mistakes retirees make show that tax-smart retirement planning should start well before you hit the age your first RMD is due.
