Serious car crashes can cause spinal injuries that cannot be managed with conservative care alone, such as physical therapy or injections. When the damage is severe, especially in the neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) areas, doctors may recommend spinal fusion. This major surgery brings with it a challenging recovery, the possibility of lasting physical limitations, and high medical costs.
If another driver’s carelessness led to the crash, spinal fusion may become a significant element of your St. Louis spinal cord injury claim.
What Is Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Spinal fusion is an operation that combines two or more vertebrae together permanently so that they heal into one solid, stable section of the spine. The surgeon may utilize bone grafts and often puts in hardware, like screws, plates, rods or cages, to keep the vertebrae together while they fuse over time.
How Does Spinal Fusion Surgery Affect a Missouri Car Accident Claim?
When spinal fusion becomes necessary after a crash, it can substantially increase the potential value and complexity of a personal injury claim. The surgery and hospital stay can be expensive, and future medical care may also be necessary, including therapy, monitoring, pain management, or even revision surgery.
Personal injury claims in St. Louiss should also address lost wages, time out of work, potential for reduced future earning ability, and the ways permanent physical restrictions affect day-to-day activities. Strong medical documentation, expert opinions, and clear evidence linking the crash to your diagnosis are important in building a successful claim after fusion.
The Importance of Proving Causation in a Spinal Fusion Claim
In Missouri, to successfully recover compensation for spinal fusion surgery after a car crash, you need clear proof that the collision caused or aggravated the spinal condition that made the surgery necessary. Insurance companies often refuse to pay for major surgeries, claiming that the accident was not the cause, but that it was degeneration due to age, prior injuries, or injuries sustained later.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Missouri?
Missouri usually gives victims 5 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This covers most cases, but there are exceptions.
For example, if a government entity was responsible for your injury, there are often shorter notice requirements and deadlines. If the injured party was a minor, the deadline may actually be longer.
Regardless, you want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to determine the deadline and make sure you are able to recover as much evidence as possible to prove the case.
How Can a Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Help After Spinal Fusion Surgery?
A lawyer can provide critical support after spinal fusion by:
- Gathering complete medical and surgical records for your case
- Calculating and documenting your past medical expenses
- Analyzing the cost and need for future care and treatment
- Working with your doctors to clarify your long-term prognosis
- Compiling proof of lost wages and changes to your earning capacity
- Responding to insurer efforts to blame injuries on preexisting conditions
- Collecting evidence that clearly connects your injuries to the crash
- Reviewing all available sources of insurance coverage
- Taking a case to trial if the insurer will not make a fair offer
Acting quickly preserves evidence and helps you recover adequate compensation for your losses. If you have questions after spinal fusion from a crash, contact our office today to discuss your options.