Will Surgery Increase a Personal Injury Settlement?

If you recently suffered accident-related injuries, you may be wondering, “Does having surgery increase a personal injury settlement?” If your doctor recommends surgery as part of your treatment, you may also be worried about how you’re going to afford it. When it comes to a personal injury case, a required surgery can increase your potential settlement. 

When a person undergoes surgery for injuries from a negligence-based accident, it demonstrates that the injuries are severe enough to warrant intensive treatment and an invasive procedure to properly address the trauma. 

For this reason, having surgery can factor into the value of a personal injury settlement. The Atlanta personal injury lawyers with John Foy & Associates understand how to leverage surgical procedures and other extensive medical treatments to document our clients’ damages. We can then calculate and pursue fair compensation for them.

A Personal Injury Settlement May Cover the Cost of Surgery

Every personal injury case is unique since no two accident-related injuries are the same. Various factors, such as age and pre-existing health conditions, can contribute to a victim’s treatment options and recovery process. If the option of surgery is even on the table, it’s likely the accident victims suffered severe injuries. 

On top of any immediate medical intervention they require, they may be in for a long haul of follow-up treatments and medical expenses. If they undergo surgery but still suffer a disability or permanent impairment, they could be looking at life-long medical care and assistance.  

A personal injury attorney can help maximize a potential settlement by documenting current medical expenses and consulting with physicians to determine future medical costs. They may gather medical records, bills, receipts, and a doctor’s prognosis to support a case. 

Compensation You Can Seek for Having Surgery

Surgery can be a complicated process. While some surgical procedures are non-invasive and less expensive, others can require a team of specialists and a lengthy recovery period. Even after surgery, additional medical care costs can crop up. 

A personal injury lawyer in Atlanta can seek recovery for surgery-related expenses, including:

• The surgery itself and any hospital costs
• All related pre-and post-surgical care and treatment
• Anticipated future medical needs like follow-up procedures or rehabilitation
• Lost wages from the inability to work during preparation, surgery, and recovery
• Physical pain and suffering from having to undergo surgery
• Any permanent disabilities or reduction in quality of life

By demonstrating the extent of your injuries and the projected cost of any required long-term care, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys can seek maximum compensation. You deserve to have access to the full lifetime of care your injuries may require without bankrupting your family’s future.

While no amount of money can undo the physical and emotional trauma endured, securing the maximum financial recovery possible can help. Our attorneys can handle settlement negotiations or take legal action to secure a verdict. Either way, we are dedicated to pursuing the monetary damages crucial for rebuilding your life.

Do Not Delay or Forgo Having Surgery if it Is Necessary

If your doctors or specialists believe surgery is necessary to treat your injuries, do not delay or forgo this procedure. Doing so could risk your health and your case for compensation. Injuries can worsen without proper intervention and rehabilitation. 

Plus, an insurer may argue that your injuries are not as bad as they really are if you refuse surgery after an accident. They may even claim that you contributed to your accident-related losses if you delay or forgo necessary medical treatment. They may use either argument to undervalue or outright deny a claim.

You Can Begin Your Personal Injury Case Before Having Surgery

You do not have to wait until after surgery to begin a personal injury claim or lawsuit. In fact, you should seek legal representation as soon as possible after an accident. A lawyer who works on contingency can help you afford legal counsel and meet any legal deadlines because they do not charge upfront fees. 

Accident-related injuries that require surgery are often severe, so there’s a chance a liable party’s insurance policy will not cover all of your expenses. In this case, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party, but you have to meet the statute of limitations. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 usually gives accident victims two years to take legal action. 

Discover if Having Surgery Can Increase Your Potential Personal Injury Settlement

One of the factors that determines the potential value of a personal injury claim or lawsuit is the severity of the injuries involved and the level of medical treatment required. When an accident results in injuries so severe that surgery becomes an unavoidable part of the treatment plan, this can increase the amount of compensation a victim may be able to recover. 

The legal team with John Foy & Associates can explain more about whether having surgery increases a personal injury settlement. We can determine if you are receiving a fair settlement offer for your injuries so that you can continue to receive the medical care you need. 

Contact us now to start your free initial consultation. The sooner you get started on your case, the better we can protect your right to recover compensation.