Nine-year-old John Doe playfully kicked the back of his father’s seat, only moments before his life was changed forever – when a drunk driver veered over the median, violently colliding head-on into John’s vehicle. The collision left John with physical injuries that he would eventually heal from, including a broken wrist and ankle – but left him with devastating mental trauma when his mother did not survive. In the years since the crash, John sought benefits under the no-fault insurance policy, a type of insurance that compensates the insured party for losses, regardless of who is at fault. However, the insurer argued that his injuries – including his PTSD – were already resolved. Unfortunately, John also had pre-existing conditions, including ADHD and ODD (oppositional defiant disorder), and his pre-existing conditions – coupled with the traumatic event that caused his PTSD – made it difficult to portray and quantify the injuries to anyone who didn’t have extensive knowledge of psychiatry.

Simplifying Brain Activity With 3D Animation

Wayne Miller of Miller & Tischler, P. C. sought proper compensation for John when the insurance withheld payment for rehabilitation and care. Wayne worked closely with DK Global to produce an animation that illustrated the mechanics of how mental disorders like ADHD and ODD affect a brain’s functionality. The animation begins with a normal brain, functioning properly as neurons communicate with each other by sending electrical and chemical signals (neurotransmitters) through their axons. The second portion of the animation demonstrates the activity of a brain suffering from ADHD, a disorder that is associated with abnormally low levels of neurotransmitters (dopamine and noradrenaline) transmitting between the prefrontal cortical area and the basal ganglia.

The third part of the animation demonstrates the activity of a brain suffering from ODD. With ODD, there is decreased dopamine and norepinephrine functionality, suggesting a hyposensitivity to reward. John’s pre-existing conditions, superimposed with his PTSD, resulted in life-long injuries that would need extensive rehabilitation and care. With the foundation set, Wayne Miller tactfully maneuvered through the case’s complexities, with the ability to effectively communicate John’s trauma – with the help of this powerful, visual presentation.

Wayne Miller is a respected attorney nationwide, earning numerous achievements such as recognition as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” since 2005. Wayne was also named the “Most Respected Advocate” by the Michigan Defense Trial counsel in 2007, and recently was honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a “Leader in the Law”. Wayne Miller is also a frequent lecturer at professional seminars where he councils other no-fault attorneys, and has co-authored the textbook used in law schools to illuminate the no-fault policy. Miller & Tischler, P.C. specializes in cases involving catastrophic injury, including the rights of the injured, their families, and their professional service providers.