There is no typical slip and fall settlement amount with surgery in NC, but some claims involving surgery settle for $100,000 or more. Slip and fall injuries that require surgery are often more serious and impactful on someone’s life than injuries that do not require surgery. The overall impact of the injury, including the total cost of medical care and other factors, determines the settlement amount for a slip and fall in NC.
Our experienced Gastonia premises liability lawyers at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys explain the average slip and fall settlement amount with surgery in NC.
Understanding Slip and Fall Claims in North Carolina
If you have a slip and fall claim in North Carolina, you should know the following:
- There is no automatic amount of compensation for needing surgery or a specific injury.
- The amount of compensation is unique to your case, and you may receive more or less than the average amount.
- Cost of medical care is one of the most important factors in determining your slip and fall settlement amount.
- Needing surgery may be an indicator that your injuries are overall more serious, and the claim value should be higher.
Whether or not your injury requires surgery is important for determining a settlement amount for multiple reasons. The cost of the surgery itself, plus follow-up care, may greatly increase your medical expenses. In addition, if you need surgery, it may indicate increased pain and suffering, lost work, and potential disability.
That’s not always the case. Some surgeries are minimal. Some can reduce long-term costs and lasting disability. But needing surgery can be an indicator of the severity of an injury.
When Surgery Is Required After a Slip and Fall Accident
Some injuries may require surgery. These might include the following:
- Broken bones, joint dislocation: Surgery may be needed to set the bone in place, stabilize it, or repair tissue in the joint.
- Spinal cord injury: Surgery may remove foreign objects and relieve compression. Nerve grafting may promote healing.
- Herniated disc: If conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical intervention may help.
- Knee: Arthroscopy can repair a damaged meniscus, ligaments, or cartilage. A knee replacement may be appropriate.
- Shoulder: A procedure may relieve pain, minimize inflammation, stabilize the shoulder, and repair damaged tissue.
- Brain injury: Surgery can relieve pressure, remove debris, and repair the skull.
- Eye injury: Open globe injury, laceration, orbital fracture, or presence of a foreign object may require surgery.
- Ruptured organ: Immediate medical attention may be needed to stop internal bleeding and prevent infection of the spleen, liver, or bowel.
- Torn muscle: Surgery can repair an injured muscle, including the diaphragm.
- Flail chest: To address a condition where a broken chest wall results in abnormal movement.
Factors That Influence Settlement Amounts
Several factors may influence a slip and fall settlement, including the following:
- Overall cost of medical care, including whether surgery is required
- How long the recovery period is and whether complications prolong medical care
- If medical care is limited in duration or if the person will need continuing medical care after the case
- The impact of injury on a person’s life, including career, reputation in the community, personal mobility, and hobbies
- Impact on the person’s income and ability to work
- Scars and visible disfigurement
- How much pain and suffering the person endures because of their injuries
- The strength of the case, whether there are questions of fault, causation, or other legal issues that create reasonable questions about the person’s right to compensation
- Sources of compensation, including insurance policies
How much any one factor influences the claim amount may vary. A factor may be extremely influential in one case but unimportant to another. An attorney can give you a personalized evaluation of what factors may be important in your case.
Examples of Average Settlement Ranges With Surgery
Our lawyers have achieved notable case results in slip and fall cases. Some of our case results for slip and fall have ranged from $105,000 to $400,000.
A person who needs shoulder surgery is an example of how surgery could impact a settlement claim. If the shoulder surgery costs $50,000, and there is additional recovery time, including lost work, the need for surgery could add another $100,000 to the value of the claim. This is a fictional example, and the total impact in a particular case always depends on the specifics of that case.
How Medical Evidence Impacts the Value of Your Claim
Medical evidence is critical to a favorable settlement amount for a slip and fall requiring surgery. Evidence must verify the injuries that necessitate the surgery. Healthcare information can support a claim for the physical pain the person is likely to experience with their injuries. Financial records can verify the cost.
It’s important to gather medical evidence to support a claim. Other evidence will also be critical to a claim, including proof of fault and proof that the slip and fall caused the person’s injuries.
Other Damages You May Recover Beyond Medical Costs
Medical costs are often the starting point to determine a slip and fall settlement amount. Damages can reflect the many ways that a person is harmed by an accident. Lost work, property damage, and incidental medical supplies may be recovered. Future expenses may be projected. The cost of mental health injury diagnosis and care may also be part of a claim. Non-economic compensation should reflect the physical and emotional suffering caused by the slip and fall.
How an Experienced Gastonia Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Settlement
An experienced Gastonia premises liability lawyer can help maximize your settlement by making sure your surgery is fully valued. They can document the impact of injuries, including whether surgery is required. They can give you legal advice and represent you in the steps to maximize your compensation.
Contact Us
We are Gastonia premises liability lawyers. Talk to our lawyers at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys about your slip and fall settlement amount. See how surgery may impact your compensation. Contact us to get personalized advice and legal help now.
