If a specialist recommends surgery after your accident, it’s natural to have concerns about your health, recovery, and the costs involved. However, you should prioritize your long-term well-being and follow your doctor’s advice.
If you have questions about how surgery and medical costs fit into a personal injury claim, a Harford County personal injury lawyer can provide answers. They can help you build your case and work to ensure that your settlement reflects the full scope of your recovery needs.
Navigate This Page
- Why Surgery May be Necessary After an Accident
- What if You Decline Surgery After an Accident?
- Documenting Your Surgery for Your Personal Injury Claim
- How Surgery will Impact Your Settlement
- Steps to Take if a Specialist Recommends Surgery After Your Accident
- How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
- Get the Legal Support You Need for Your Recovery
Why Surgery May be Necessary After an Accident
After an accident, certain injuries may require medical attention to ensure proper healing and to prevent long-term complications. While minor accident injuries might heal with rest and physical therapy, more severe issues often demand surgical intervention for recovery, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Ligament tears
- Internal injuries
Ignoring a doctor’s recommendation for surgery could lead to worsened conditions over time. For example, untreated joint or spinal injuries might cause chronic pain or reduced mobility, affecting your ability to work or enjoy daily life. By addressing these injuries promptly with surgery, you can protect your health and improve your chances of regaining full functionality.
Surgical Injections for Back Pain After an Accident
Surgical injections, such as epidural steroid injections, are often recommended for accident victims experiencing severe or chronic back pain. These injections deliver medication directly to the affected area, helping to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. They are typically used for injuries involving the spine, such as herniated discs, pinched nerves, or soft tissue damage.
While less invasive than traditional surgery, epidural injections are still considered a medical procedure and should be taken seriously. They can provide significant relief, especially when combined with other treatments like physical therapy. However, the effects may be temporary, and multiple injections might be required over time.
Get on the road to recovery with competent legal representation and high-quality medical professionals. Contact our Maryland personal injury lawyer today.
What if You Decline Surgery After an Accident?
If you decide not to proceed with surgery after an accident, it’s important to understand that your personal injury claim can still reflect the recommended surgical procedure and its associated costs. A doctor’s recommendation for surgery highlights the severity of your injuries, and this medical opinion is valuable evidence in your case.
Your personal injury attorney can gather all relevant medical records to show why the procedure was recommended. These records provide a clear picture of the injury’s impact on your health and the potential consequences of forgoing treatment. Even if you opt against surgery, the cost of the recommended procedure can often be factored into the settlement negotiations, as it demonstrates the level of care you might need to recover fully.
Declining surgery may be a personal or financial decision, but it doesn’t mean your injury is less serious. An accident attorney can help ensure that the medical documentation and the circumstances around your choice are fully represented in your claim. They can protect your rights and fight back against low settlement offers, securing fair compensation for your medical needs and the potential long-term effects of the injury.
Documenting Your Surgery for Your Personal Injury Claim
Proper medical documentation is essential when pursuing a personal injury claim, especially if surgery is involved. Records may include the following:
- Diagnostic tests
- Imaging results
- Surgical reports
- Surgeon’s notes
- Primary care doctor’s notes
- Your medical history
These documents serve as evidence of the severity of your injuries and the treatment required for recovery.
Accurate documentation strengthens your case by linking the surgery to the accident and justifying the associated costs. Keeping all receipts and bills for the procedure is equally important. This comprehensive medical evidence ensures your insurance claim reflects the full scope of your injuries and treatment needs.
How Surgery will Impact Your Settlement
Undergoing surgery after an accident can significantly affect the value of your personal injury settlement. Surgery is a clear indicator of the severity of your injuries and the extent of treatment needed for recovery. The costs associated with the procedure typically include:
- Hospital fees
- Surgical costs
- Anesthesia
- Rehabilitation
- Follow-up care
Additionally, surgery often leads to lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering, and other damages, which can further increase your claim’s value. By documenting all related expenses and medical details, your lawyer can ensure these costs are accurately factored into your settlement.
Steps to Take if a Specialist Recommends Surgery After Your Accident
If a specialist recommends surgery after your accident, start by discussing the procedure with your primary care physician. Have them explain the risks, benefits, and necessity. Follow their advice to prioritize your recovery and prevent further complications.
Document everything related to the recommendation, including medical notes, imaging results, and cost estimates. These records will be crucial for your personal injury claim.
Keep track of all expenses, such as pre-surgical consultations, the procedure itself, and post-operative care. Maintaining detailed records strengthens your case and ensures these costs for medical treatment are included in your settlement. Focus on your health while your lawyer handles the legal aspects.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
When surgery becomes part of your recovery, a personal injury lawyer ensures your medical needs are fully represented in your claim. They compile all evidence, such as surgical recommendations, procedural details, and related expenses, to establish the impact of your injuries.
Lawyers also analyze how surgery affects your long-term recovery, such as potential work limitations or ongoing medical care, and factor these into your case. They negotiate aggressively with the insurance companies to reflect the true cost of your recovery in the settlement, removing the stress of legal proceedings from your shoulders. This allows you to focus on going From Hurt to Help®.
We Can Help You Get a Second Opinion
We have also developed a working relationship with some of the best doctors in the state, so if you would like a second opinion, we can recommend someone.
Plus, our attorneys are available to our clients 24/7 via a special text number we provide.
Get the Legal Support You Need for Your Recovery
At Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges you face after an accident, especially when dealing with the cost and complexity of medical care like surgery. Our legal team is here to guide you through the claims process, gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, and negotiate to include your medical expenses in your settlement.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. Let Adam Fight for your compensation so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights.
