Being injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault can be a deeply traumatic experience. If your injuries are severe enough to require surgery, you may wonder – Will surgery increase my settlement? While surgery often leads to higher medical costs, it can also strengthen your personal injury claim, helping you pursue the compensation needed to cover these expenses and ease your financial burden.
While the costs of major medical operations can be overwhelming, the Duluth personal injury attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, specialize in securing fair slip and fall settlements with surgery. We can help you document your injuries and pursue maximum compensation for the medical treatment your physician has recommended.
Our Georgia injury attorneys have extensive experience helping those who were injured due to another person’s negligence get financial relief. Contact us right away to set up a free, initial consultation.
More Serious Injuries Can Mean More Significant Compensation
While some injuries are minor and don’t require extensive treatment, others may involve surgery. If you’ve been injured, especially in a slip and fall accident, and your doctor recommends surgery, you might ask, “Will surgery increase my settlement?”
In many cases, surgical procedures can lead to higher compensation due to their complexity and cost, as seen in slip and fall settlements with surgery.However, not all surgeries result in significant compensation. For example, a single non-invasive procedure may not justify the same settlement as multiple complex surgeries or extensive follow-up care.
It’s crucial that any surgery you undergo is medically necessary and recommended by your treating physician. Elective procedures without a recommendation may leave you responsible for the costs.
To ensure the best outcome, consider getting multiple medical opinions to explore alternatives and build a strong case for your injury claim. This approach can help maximize your settlement while addressing your treatment needs.
Will Surgery Increase My Settlement with the Insurance Company?
Insurance companies are for-profit entities. While their purpose is to provide coverage to claimants who have suffered losses due to unforeseen events, their broader goal is to make money and keep their shareholders happy.
If your treating doctor recommends surgery, the insurance company may or may not offer you a larger settlement. They might resist or allege that the doctor is only recommending surgery for their own financial gain. In general, insurance adjusters are wary of immediately offering a generous settlement.
In fact, one tactic that insurance adjusters regularly use to minimize their losses is to offer a quick, lowball settlement very soon after negotiations begin. While it can be tempting to accept such an offer because the lump sum would be immediately available for you to put toward medical costs, any initial offers the insurance company makes will most likely be less than you need and deserve.
If you accept the offer, you will forfeit your ability to pursue additional compensation should you need it, and you might end up having to cover some medical costs yourself.
If you can present the insurance company with extensive evidence of your diagnosis and healthcare needs using proof like medical records and doctor’s statements, you will dramatically increase your chances of getting a fair settlement. Insurance companies are more likely to make a reasonable offer if you make a strong case.
Will I Receive My Settlement Before My Operation?
Most insurance companies are unwilling or reluctant to pay for major surgeries and other expensive treatments before the procedure occurs. This is because sometimes claimants who have been recommended for surgery don’t ultimately go through with the operation.
While obtaining a settlement before your operation may be challenging, that doesn’t mean you have to sink into medical debt. Our lawyers will work tirelessly to help you find financial support and solutions so you can obtain the medical care you need.
If you were injured in a car accident, you could potentially turn to your health insurance policy or other personal insurance policies, such as auto coverage. We will also work with your medical provider to defer payment for your procedure until you have received your settlement.
What if the Insurance Company Won’t Make Me an Offer?
Typically, insurance companies will offer you a settlement if your treating physician recommends surgery because they understand that refusing to settle your claim could lead you to take legal action against them.
The vast majority of personal injury claims settle before they ever reach the trial stage because the legal process can be long and costly to both parties involved.
However, depending on the circumstances of your case, it’s always possible that the insurance company will refuse to settle or fail to make a fair offer. For example, if you were injured in a car accident but the other driver’s insurance company refuses to accept liability, your case could go to court. When it is not totally clear who is liable for an accident, the insurance company may believe it is worth it to litigate a case.
The best way to avoid expensive litigation is to hire an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney who has the tools to gather and preserve all the necessary evidence to prove your claim. If your attorney can make a strong case for compensation to the insurance company, they are much more likely to settle.
Real-Life Case Study: Slip and Fall Settlements with Surgery in Georgia
The Situation:
A 38-year-old man slipped on a freshly mopped floor in a Georgia restaurant. The floor was wet but lacked visible caution signs, leading to his fall. He sustained a severe shoulder injury, including a torn rotator cuff, which significantly impacted his ability to work as a construction manager.
Medical Treatment:
The injury required immediate attention, and after multiple consultations, the man’s doctor recommended surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff. Following the surgery, he underwent months of physical therapy, incurring medical expenses exceeding $45,000.
Additionally, his injury resulted in lost wages and diminished earning capacity due to his temporary inability to perform manual labor.
The Claim:
The restaurant’s insurance company initially offered a low settlement, arguing that the injury did not warrant surgical intervention. However, with the assistance of Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, the man presented detailed medical documentation, including doctor recommendations and proof of the surgery’s necessity.
Witness testimony and photographic evidence from the accident scene also established clear negligence on the part of the restaurant.
The Settlement:
After thorough negotiations, the insurance company agreed to a settlement of $200,000, which covered the cost of surgery, rehabilitation, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
The surgery and its associated costs significantly influenced the final settlement amount, reflecting the seriousness of the injury and the long-term impact on the victim’s life.
This case highlights how slip and fall settlements with surgery can lead to substantial compensation when negligence and the necessity of medical treatment are effectively demonstrated.
If you’ve been injured in a similar situation, Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC
No matter what kind of injury you are dealing with, our Gwinnett County injury lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, have the resources to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
We understand how traumatizing and stressful it can be to deal with a serious injury, especially if the treatment includes surgery and recovery.
If you didn’t cause the accident, then you should not be responsible for the expenses associated with treating your injuries. Our team of dedicated Georgia legal professionals is committed to helping you hold the liable party accountable for their negligence through a personal injury claim.
FAQs
How much are most personal injury settlements?
Most personal injury settlements vary widely depending on the severity of the injury, medical costs, lost wages, and other factors. Minor injury cases may settle for a few thousand dollars, while severe cases involving surgeries or long-term disabilities can reach six or seven figures. On average, settlements often range between $15,000 and $75,000, but every case is unique. Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the specifics of your claim and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
