The Injuries & Evidence Podcast

In this episode of "Injuries and Evidence," host Dr. Brandon Carter sits down with Jason Wardell, CEO of PI Sciences, to explore innovative strategies for enhancing personal injury clinical outcomes. Discover how PI Sciences is revolutionizing the field by streamlining reporting processes, improving physician documentation, and leveraging AI to optimize patient care. Learn about their mission to achieve Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) in 90 days and their commitment to supporting law firms and patients with accurate, efficient, and compassionate care. Tune in to understand the future of personal injury management and the impact of cutting-edge technology on patient recovery.

Spinal surgery doesn’t end the case—it reframes it. In this episode, we break down what attorneys need to know about impairment ratings following spinal fusion, ADR, and laminectomy. We cover: Typical WPI ranges post-surgery How apportionment to pre-existing conditions is determined Why surgeons and rating doctors often provide different perspectives If you're closing cases without a post-surgical IR, you could be leaving serious value on the table. #personalinjury #impairmentrating #medicolegal #spinalsurgery #trialprep #attorneysupport

"Cervical injuries steal the spotlight in whiplash... but the thoracic spine? It’s taking hits too.” The thoracic spine is structurally more stable—anchored by the ribs—but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to trauma. In most injury narratives, attention is placed on the neck and low back. But the thoracic spine often absorbs significant force during: Seatbelt compression Hyperflexion and rebound during whiplash Torsional forces during side or angular impacts Legal takeaway: Missing thoracic diagnoses can reduce claim value and miss impairment ratings that matter.

Today we’re talking about a surprisingly under-discussed topic—whiplash injuries in the lumbar spine. Most people associate whiplash with the neck, but research and imaging studies show the lumbar spine can be just as vulnerable, especially in rear-end or high-velocity collisions. Let’s unpack why, and what it means for patient outcomes and injury documentation.

In this episode of Injuries & Evidence Podcast, host Jason Wardell, Co-Founder & CEO of PISciences, takes aim at one of the most misunderstood and damaging trends in personal injury—5X medical billing.

While some providers charge 400–500% over standard rates in the hope of boosting case value, Jason explains why this strategy backfires more often than it helps. He unpacks how insurance adjusters use software like Colossus to flag inflated bills, triggering audits, IMEs, billing cuts, and reduced settlement offers. Even worse, high bills disconnected from accurate diagnoses can erode provider credibility and tank an otherwise strong case.

Jason shares real-world examples from PISciences, outlines the ethical and economic consequences for providers and attorneys, and offers an alternative: accurate diagnosis, medically necessary care, and clear documentation—all within PISciences' mission to help patients reach MMI in 90 days.

For more information, visit PISciences and learn how proper diagnosis, fair billing, and smart documentation can elevate case outcomes—ethically.

Jason Wardell, Co-Founder & CEO of PISciences had an incredible interview with Manny Griffiths, Co-Founder & CEO of Hona.

We discuss topics surrounding client communication, who is Manny, qualities of founding teams that lead to success, and much more! I learned so much about what it takes to build a successful company, qualities of founding members, and advancing communication technology that law firms can apply. But his insight doesn't just apply to law firms, but all businesses. Every business can improve in their customer communication.

Take a listen!!!!!

Here's What Happens in Those 7 Minutes:

1. First Impression Scoring Adjusters quickly review: • Type of accident (rear-end, T-bone, etc.) • Property damage photos (is it severe?) • Emergency room reports • Gaps in care (delays in initial treatment) • Pre-existing conditions or comorbidities; If documentation is weak or inconsistent, this moment sets a low reserve—often under $7,500—and it becomes hard to overcome later.

2. Colossus-Style Inputs These software tools rely on checklist-driven data points: • Specific diagnosis codes • Recognized body parts (Colossus Body Parts like shoulder, cervical spine) • Treatment timelines and provider types • Narrative reports and impairment ratings if included Adjusters are looking for algorithmic triggers to justify reserves. No trigger = no value.

3. Reserve is Set Once the evaluation is complete: • An internal reserve is established (usually the max they think the case is worth) • That number shapes future negotiation thresholds and settlement authority

Why It Matters for Paralegals and PIsciences: • Speed & Structure Matter — Records, reports, and referrals need to be organized early. • Frontload the Value — Include key diagnoses, body part codes, treatment summaries, and prognosis in the first records upload. • Use Provider Networks that Understand This — Many physicians don't realize their charts are being used this way.

In this episode of Injuries & Evidence, host Jason Wardle shares the untold story behind the founding of PISciences—a company born from the need for better clarity and outcomes in personal injury case management. Jason dives deep into the challenges of launching a service-driven tech company without outside funding, lessons learned from building software to streamline impairment ratings and treatment planning, and how real-world medical and legal experience shaped their mission. He also highlights pivotal partnerships with US Legal Nurse Consultants and ImpairMaster, and why paralegals and case managers became the unexpected core of their platform. From bootstrapping long nights to accidental data deletions and breakthrough patient outcomes, this episode offers honest insights for founders, legal professionals, and clinicians navigating the PI world.

Impairment Ratings Are Often Dismissed—but Critical.
Many legal and medical professionals believe impairment ratings aren’t necessary. Dr. Carter argues that they are essential when patients have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and still experience functional limitations.

What Is an Impairment?
According to the AMA Guides, impairment is a permanent loss, loss of use, or derangement of any body part, organ system, or function. This must be assessed after treatment has been exhausted and the patient has stabilized.

Functional Limitation vs. Disability:

Impairment → A medical condition post-MMI (e.g., restricted shoulder mobility).

Functional Limitation → How it affects daily activities (e.g., can’t lift objects).

Disability → A workplace inability due to functional limitations without available accommodations (e.g., can’t work as a stock clerk if no lift is available).

These are often confused and must be evaluated in sequence.

Assessment Tools Matter.
Physicians must use imaging (MRI, X-ray), clinical exams, patient history, and functional questionnaires (e.g., Pain Disability Questionnaire, Loss of Enjoyment, Duties Under Duress) to support the rating.

Legal vs. Medical Perspective:
While legal teams may deprioritize impairment ratings, insurance carriers require medical evidence of permanent changes. It’s the doctor’s role to document and communicate this clearly.

Training Is Crucial.
Physicians should pursue training in trauma care and impairment evaluation to better serve personal injury patients and support legal outcomes.

“You can’t talk disability without first establishing impairment. And you can’t assign impairment until the patient hits static Maximum Medical Improvement.”

If you have questions about impairment ratings, MMI, or documenting personal injury cases:
👉 Email Dr. Carter at [email protected]
👉 Visit www.PISciences.com
👉 Register for our Case Management Webinar:
pisciences.com/alohacasemanagement

In this powerful episode of Injuries and Evidence, host Jason Wardell is joined by Dr. Brandon Carter for an in-depth look at the medical management pitfalls that plague personal injury cases. Together, they reflect on the lasting influence of Dr. John Ogao, DC and then dive into the biggest reasons why PI cases fall apart—misdiagnosis, poor documentation, and a lack of collaborative care.

Drawing on over 1,000 treated cases through the PISciences system, they unpack:

Whether you're a physician, paralegal, or attorney, this episode gives you a playbook for improving patient outcomes and claim values. You'll also learn why building a trusted provider network and using a medical quarterback model is essential in PI litigation.

🎧 Listen now and ride the wave of better outcomes.

👉 Want to accelerate your firm's toughest cases? Visit the link in the episode description or reach out to [email protected] to schedule a call and learn how our medical management system can help you achieve MMI in 90 days and maximize case value.

Let's get in touch: http://pisciences.com/pisciences-demo-request