Margaret Hollar Case Summary

The plaintiff, Margaret Hollar was not employed at the time of the accident in question. The plaintiff had a history of having an L4-S1 discectomy and laminectomy. Ms. Hollar testified that she had a history of severe headaches, which began when she was 20 years of age. The plaintiff was involved in an accident in 2001 in which she slipped on ice and injured her neck and back. That injury led to her back surgery, as a result of her chronic back pain she was unable to return to work. The plaintiff has a history of severe depression and anxiety and inpatient psychiatric treatment. The plaintiff’s pre-accident medical records described her migraine headaches as migraine cephalalgia. The plaintiff has been treated with a variety of medications
for migraines prior to the accident in question. In September of 1998 the Menominee/Marinette records indicate that she was in the ER twice in 1 weekend for migraines. Bay Area Medical Center records indicate that she would have nausea, blurred vision, dizzy and light sensitivity with her migraines. After the fall on the ice in 2001, the plaintiff complained of pain in the left side of her neck radiating to her shoulder and left trapezius muscle spasm and the doctor noted that she had symptoms of radiculopathy. Prior to the accident in question the plaintiff also experienced hand tremors and panic attacks. Pre-accident records indicate that in some years the plaintiff would go to the hospital Emergency Room 15 to 20 times in a course of a year for injections for her migraine headaches. Medical records refer to a history of chronic daily headaches. The plaintiff described the migraines as starting in the nap of her neck and going up into the back of her head. The pre-accident records indicate that when the plaintiff had a migraine she would throw up and she would complain of vision problems. After the accident in question the plaintiff complained of neck pain and low back pain.
Ms. Hollar’s neck was examined and the records state that the examination was negative for injury or acute deformity. The neurological examination was negative for altered mental state and loss of consciousness. A CAT scan and x-rays were negative. After the accident the plaintiff was seen by Dr. DaRoach and the doctor noted, “ She has no pain going to lower extremities, no weakness in the upper extremities and denies any headaches/blurred vision/weakness in legs.” An independent medical evaluation was performed by Marc J. Novum, M.D. Dr. Novum concluded that any headaches suffered post-traumatically would of ended within 6 months of the motor vehicle accident. Dr. Novum concluded “That any additional treatment for headaches, neck, and back pain beyond the period of 6 months following the March, 2013 motor vehicle accident related to pre-morbid/pre-accident, well-established, severe disabling migraine and chronic daily headaches, fibromyalgia and chronic back.” Dr. Novum concluded that the motor vehicle accident did not result in permanent disabling injury to Ms. Hollar’s head, neck, or low back. This defendant requests that this panel of mediators return an evaluation that fairly reflects the medical and psychological evidence of this
case.