A sudden back or spinal injury can turn an ordinary day into a painful one. Various treatment options, such as spinal fusion surgery or a discectomy, can relieve back pain and get you back on your feet. However, operations are expensive and can have extensive recovery periods. They can also have a tremendous financial impact on your life.
If you require back surgery after an accident in southwest Georgia, you may have a personal injury claim against the person or party responsible for your injury. A spinal surgery injury lawyer with the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., can help you build a strong claim demanding money to pay your medical expenses, cover your lost income, and compensate you for the pain and suffering you endured. Contact us today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Albany, GA.
Common Causes of Spine and Back Injuries
Spine and back injuries can occur in many ways, ranging from traumatic accidents to repetitive motions or heavy lifting at work. Common causes of serious back injuries include:
- Falls
- Trip and fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Assaults and other acts of violence
Aside from these causes, improper lifting, overuse, or everyday tasks can lead to back injuries that can require surgery over time. When serious, these injuries are treated with surgical procedures, including spinal fusion and discectomy.
What is Spinal Fusion?
Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure to treat injuries in which a surgeon “fuses” the spinal bones with bone graft material and hardware to provide stability, repair injuries, and limit movements that may be causing pain. If the patient has tried less invasive treatments without success, spinal fusion may offer them the relief they need. The surgery typically requires a few days in the hospital and an extended recovery period.
Some injuries or conditions that often require the procedure include:
- Spinal stenosis
- Fractured vertebrae
- Herniated discs
- Pinched nerves
Spinal fusion surgery can improve your quality of life by easing severe pain and any numbness or tingling in your extremities. However, there are risks associated with the operation, including infections, pain, and poor healing. Because the procedure is close to the spinal column, rare but serious complications can occur, such as spinal cord injuries, paralysis, or reduced mobility.
What is a Discectomy?
Soft tissues called discs sit between the bones of the spine, cushioning them and holding the vertebrae together. Trauma to these discs can lead to herniation, where the interior portion of the disc pushes through its outer lining, causing pain and limiting mobility. Discectomy surgery is used to remove the damaged portion of the spinal disc to relieve the pressure that a herniated disc puts on a spinal nerve.
You may be a candidate for a discectomy if nerve weakness affects your ability to stand or walk or if the pain radiates into your legs or arms and becomes unmanageable. Your doctor may recommend surgery if a conservative course of treatment — such as steroid injections or physical therapy — does not relieve your symptoms. There are several ways to perform the procedure, including a minimally invasive discectomy conducted with the aid of cutting-edge equipment to limit the size of the surgical incision and reduce recovery time.
While a discectomy is considered to be a safe procedure, like any surgery, it carries a risk of complications, including infection, leaking spinal fluid, and injury to blood vessels or nerves around the spine. While a discectomy helps reduce herniated disc symptoms, it may not be a permanent solution because the procedure does not undo the underlying causes of the disc injury or herniation.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Spinal Injury Cases
If you suffered an injury that required back surgery and someone else is at fault, a personal injury lawyer can help you seek the spinal injury compensation you deserve. Estimates show a spinal fusion can cost upwards of $40,000 in Georgia. Discectomies tend to be cheaper, at $16,000 on average, but that doesn’t count for related expenses such as physical therapy, lost wages, and ongoing quality-of-life issues that may persist long after the surgery is performed.
Like any expensive injury claim, you can count on the at-fault party and their insurance company to deny liability or make the cheapest settlement offer they can. An experienced spinal surgery injury attorney can craft a compelling claim proving the other party’s fault and demanding full and fair compensation for your injuries.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can handle your back surgery claim from start to finish. Our attorneys are accomplished investigators who will analyze the circumstances that led to your injury and ensure that every liable party is held accountable for their role in causing it. Sometimes, more than one party is at fault.
Next, we will develop a strategy to recover maximum compensation and file your claim with the insurance company. If the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith and offer you the full and fair settlement offer you need, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
Did your injury occur at work? You may need to file a workers’ compensation claim through the state of Georgia to receive coverage for your spinal injury. Our law firm can also assist in workers’ comp cases.
Why Choose William F. Underwood, III, P.C.?
Georgia has plenty of personal injury attorneys who handle spine surgery cases. Why select the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C.? Clients benefit from our firm’s:
- Experience – Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases, giving us the edge you need at the negotiating table and in court.
- Personalized attention – We will never treat you like just another case number. We tailor every legal strategy to the unique circumstances of our clients’ cases.
- No-win, no-fee guarantee – Because our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, you do not pay any attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. That’s how confident we are in our ability to secure justice on your behalf.*
*Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.
Contact Us Today to Speak With an Experienced Spinal Surgery Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one underwent spinal surgery because of another party’s negligence, reach out to the personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. today. We will work tirelessly to build a robust case and pursue maximum compensation for your losses. Call or contact us today for a free case review.
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