After a personal injury, your priority is to heal. To do this, you may need extensive treatment, even surgery. In the ideal world, you will reach 100% recovery, allowing you to go back to your life.
Yet, when this does not happen, and you are faced with serious injuries and limitations, you have the right to compensation for any injuries and treatments that you need to have, including surgery. Speak with a Coweta County personal injury lawyer about your case today.
Types of Injuries That May Require Surgery
In situations where your doctor deems it necessary for you to have a surgical procedure as a result of the accident or injury caused by another person, you can include that cost in your claim. Some examples of complex injuries that often result in surgery include:
- Complex fractures or crushing accidents
- Amputations and disfiguring accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord and spinal column injuries
- Herniated spinal discs
- Internal organ damage
- Burn-related injuries
- Damage to muscles, ligaments, or tendons
- Eye surgeries
Also note that the surgery may include the specific treatment you need at the time, such as:
- Emergency surgery to stabilize your health and save your life
- Secondary surgery and procedures to repair additional damage or correct complications
- Surgeries down the road to handle worsening symptoms or complications
- Cosmetic surgeries to repair disfigurement and other types of cosmetic injuries
In any situation, if you are hurt in an accident, follow the guidelines of your doctors in terms of whether you need surgery, what type of surgery is best for you, and what you can expect going forward. Do not assume that the insurance company has any right to make decisions about the types of surgeries you need or that will be covered.
What to Do If Your Surgery Claim Is Denied?
There are various reasons why your claim for compensation from an accident may face a denial from the insurance company. Most of the time, denials occur when the insurance company does not see the relationship between the treatment you received and the injury caused by their covered party. For example, if you have surgery on your foot but never stated that you hurt your foot in a car accident, that may get some pushback.
There are other times when insurance companies may fight back against claims for experimental or unnecessary surgeries. It will be up to you to prove that you need the surgery to heal and recover to reach a whole state. However, if you elect to have surgery that your doctor did not recommend or that is not directly known for being beneficial for your condition, the insurance company may not honor your claim.
In workers’ compensation, there are some situations where an employer or insurer must approve the surgery and the cost prior to it taking place. However, that does not apply in life-saving situations where emergency surgery is necessary to protect your life and minimize further complications.
In any situation in which you need surgery, document your accident as thoroughly as possible. Make sure you get a second opinion from another licensed doctor. Detail all of the preparation costs, follow-up care, and other costs you will have both before and after the procedure. Work with a personal injury attorney who can help you build a strong case to recover all of your losses.