Advances in spine surgery have made leaps and bounds, particularly in the last twenty years, but there is still an understandable fear around these significant procedures. The apprehension is only intensified when neck, back or spine surgery is a requirement of an accident that you suffered at the error and negligence of another.
There are varying degrees of spinal surgery – some may be less invasive, some you may have relief of the symptoms and the problem, others may mitigate damage or avoid death but still leave a patient with everlasting impacts to their body and mind. Thompson Law has helped clients with health circumstances across the spectrum, and we are passionate about setting people up to succeed with the maximum compensation for all the influential ramifications of spinal injury accident.
Back problems severe enough to require spine surgery most commonly result from one of two causes: disease or injury. In the personal injury space we frequently work with clients who have experienced a physically traumatic event resulting in injury and pain to the spinal column.
Some accidents are more commonly the culprits of these injuries than others. Here are a few of the accidents that most commonly result in surgical medical intervention:
When you are preparing for your own spinal surgery, nothing about the process feels routine. Preparation, undergoing, and recovering from spinal surgery is no small task, though very significant advances have been made in the procedures, particularly in very recent years.
In light of the increasing accessibility and precision of these procedures, some types have become very common place with highly successful outcomes. According to the Carolinas Center for Surgery, the 7 most common spinal surgeries include:
There are many types of spine surgeries so if you do not see yours listed here, it does not mean that we haven’t experienced case work around that type of injury. Every case is unique, and every client is unique, but our wealth of skills and exposure in the practice of personal injury law makes us uniquely equipped to handle your case for the best possible results.
If you have questions or are seeking guidance on navigating your serious injury following an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for the help you need. Thompson Law is here for you anytime 24/7/365.
The period immediately following a spinal surgery is typically consumed by recovery. Individuals going through this process need to be prepared for taking time off work, having help around the house with responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, caring for children and pets, and more. Much rest and rehabilitation will be required, and this can be a very expensive time paying for assistance services while not working.
Additionally, recovery from surgery can be a painful process as your body heals and you have to work to return to strength. Physical therapy takes time and effort. It can be very challenging when first beginning, and also become a significant long term consideration for an individual’s life and health maintenance.
Individual situations vary, but in Thompson Law’s experience helping clients recovering from neck, back, spinal or other trauma and surgery, one can expect multiple impacts that fall into three main categories.
Physical symptoms of spinal injury and surgery can be very wide ranging in severity and duration. Some of these impacts may include, pain, limited mobility, loss of mobility, stiffness, changes to posture and gate, and severe physical implications may include consequences like paraplegia or tetraplegia can result in very extreme limitations, requiring wheelchair use and resulting in complications and additional illnesses requiring rehospitalization throughout one’s life.
Recovering from, and adjusting to life after, a spine surgery is a very expensive process. Individuals may need healthcare worker assistance, help around the house, their earning potential may be decreased, and they must plan for likely future hospitalization costs, and anticipate hospice or assisted living services earlier in life than anticipated
Also, if you are going to live independently, you may need to do substantial work to your home and vehicle to make sure they are physically navigable for you. Retrofitting a current home or moving to an ADA compliant home is expensive and difficult. Especially if you are managing these logistics as a disabled person.
Still, the news after a spinal surgery is not all bad. In and independent study conducted by a private practice spinal surgeon, the following data was recovered showing significant abilities of spinal surgery patients to return to work. Many people may go through a challenging time during the course of their surgery and recovery, but live a life perfectly normal to them on the other side.
After an average 4 years, the following were still working:
Finally, undergoing spinal surgery and adapting to life afterward is an enormous life event to weather and adjust to. These events are extremely traumatic, and particularly if you are left with impacts that change your abilities indefinitely. Depression, PTSD, and other mental illness is common in patients who experience these extreme and challenging life changes. The emotional aspects to recovery from a serious accident should not be underestimated or ignored.
The life impact of spinal surgeries does not only impact the patient who underwent the surgery. Family members and others close to that person will also experience effects. There can be a tremendous amount of fatigue that develops for family members providing caregiving time and effort to those they love.
The hard work involved can lead to its own stress and physical ailments, as caregivers consistently carry heavy loads physically and emotionally, sacrifice their time, impacting their work and life responsibilities, to care for those they love who are in recovery or living with handicaps. In fact, over 50 million individuals provide these types of caregiving services, and the financial impact of this labor is twice the costs spent on nursing and hospice care expenses combined. The work of caring for our loved ones in time of hardship and healing is no small feat, and these challenges deserve recognition and compensation.
All of the above challenges should be a part of your plan as you navigate the insurance settlement offers and related conversations following your serious accident. The short and long term impacts to your health, your lifestyle, your earning capacity, and your ability to lead a normal life with your loved ones are all extremely important and valuable considerations.
An experienced personal injury attorney can fight for your maximum compensation for any and all of these economic and non-economic damages, and make sure that all the important aspects of your consideration are taken into account before you receive a final settlement. Nothing is more important than your health and healing, and Thompson Law is here to take care of the rest while you focus on your recovery.
Thompson Law is a tenacious Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to fighting hard for every last penny that our clients deserve. With this driven approach, we have won over $1.8 billion in compensation for our clients, resulting in life changing settlements and justice.
We take every case as an opportunity to do the right thing and help people get back on their feet after a serious accident. If you or someone you love have experienced a serious accident resulting in a need for spinal surgery, reach out to Thompson Law today in Dallas at 214-444-4444, in Fort Worth at 817-444-4444, in North Dallas at 972-444-4444, and in the DFW Mid-Cities at 469-444-4444. Get attorney Ryan Thompson – the all fours lawyer – on your side to make sure you are taken care of through a challenging process, and get the best possible compensation for your experience.
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Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.