Spinal fusion is a type of surgical procedure that involves connecting two or more vertebrae in the spine together to minimize motion between them. This treatment is done to stabilize the spine, reduce pain, or correct a deformity.
A settlement may involve compensation to cover the cost of a spinal fusion if the victim suffered spine injuries as a result of an auto accident in New York. Individuals who sustain serious spinal injuries often deal with chronic pain and instability, which a spinal fusion can address.
Spinal injury cases often lead to higher settlement amounts, particularly when surgery such as spinal fusion is required. Under New York’s no-fault insurance laws, a spinal fusion may satisfy the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d), allowing the injured party to pursue a lawsuit for pain and suffering. This procedure typically involves a lengthy recovery and can result in lasting physical limitations, making the long-term impact a key factor in determining compensation.
By examining actual examples of spinal fusion car accident settlements, victims can gain a clearer understanding of what to expect in their own personal injury cases. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car crash in New York, do not hesitate to contact a legal professional at Chopra & Nocerino today.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Spinal fusion surgeries are often required after severe car accidents like rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, head-on impacts, and rollovers that cause serious spinal injuries such as herniated discs, fractures, or instability.
- Spinal fusion settlements in New York can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on injury severity, medical treatment, lost wages, and long-term impact.
- Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is critical to proving injury severity, navigating liability issues, and maximizing compensation for spinal fusion cases.
When Does a Car Accident Settlement Involve Spinal Fusion?
Vehicle collisions range from minor to fatal. Examples of auto accident cases that commonly result in injuries requiring spinal fusion include the following:
The specific injuries that typically require fusion of the spinal vertebrae are severe herniated and bulged disc injuries, spinal fractures, spinal instability, and spondylolisthesis, when one vertebra slips out of place onto the one below it.
Each of these injuries may meet New York’s legal standard for serious injury. However, the plaintiff must provide objective medical evidence to demonstrate the severity and impact of their injury under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d).
Notable Settlement Outcomes for Spinal Fusion Injuries in New York
Spinal fusion lawsuit settlements illustrate the value of personal injury claims. They provide insights into how factors like injury severity, medical treatment needs, and long-term impact influence compensation. While no two cases are alike, these examples serve as a reference for understanding a fair verdict or settlement after a serious car accident in New York.
- $3.65 million (verdict) – The client underwent single-level spinal fusion surgery following a chain-reaction rear-end car accident.
- $1.5 million (settlement) – A 40-year-old client was injured in a car accident in Brooklyn and required spinal fusion surgery. The case settled just before trial.
- $1.25 million (settlement) – A 23-year-old male passenger in a taxi needed left shoulder surgery and a single-level lumbar spine surgery.
- $900,000 (settlement) – Our client was reversing out of her driveway when she was struck by a large commercial oil truck that was also backing up. She sustained a severe spinal injury and underwent a single-level lumbar spine fusion. The main issues were liability and damages, but our legal team was prepared for trial. The defense settled before jury selection, resulting in our client receiving $900K from the $1 million policy.
- $715,000 (settlement) – Our client suffered catastrophic injuries when their vehicle was hit at a Bronx intersection and required single-level spinal fusion.
- $3.5 million (settlement) – A 52-year-old daycare director was T-boned at an intersection in the Bronx, suffering from an L5-S1 herniated disc and undergoing lumbar fusion, laminotomy, facetectomy, and discectomy.
- $4.6 million (settlement) – A 53-year-old man struck in Babylon by a stop-sign runner sustained herniated cervical and lumbar discs, which were later treated with cervical and lumbar fusion surgeries.
- $1.9 million (settlement) – A 50-year-old backseat passenger in Brooklyn endured herniated lumbar discs that led to L4-S1 fusion after a rear-end and side-impact collision.
- $1.2 million (settlement) – A 50-year-old woman in Brooklyn was rear-ended, suffered from a cervical disc herniation, and received cervical fusion.
- $1 million (settlement) – A rear-end collision victim with an L5-S1 bulging disc underwent fusion after experiencing severe radiating leg pain.
- $900,000 (settlement) – After a rear-end crash in Nassau County, the plaintiff suffered from herniated discs at C5-6 and T2-3 and underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Factors That Influence Spinal Fusion Settlement Amounts
Spinal fusion settlement amounts include the following compensatory damages and other factors:
- Injury severity – The more extensive harm you experience in an auto accident, the higher the settlement amount you can seek.
- Medical costs – Any form of medical care, such as doctor visits, rehabilitation, and surgeries, can be included in the final settlement amount.
- Lost wages – If your injury caused you to miss work or resulted in taking a lower-paying position, this can affect your settlement amount under “lost wages.”
- Pain and suffering – You can include the physical pain resulting from a spinal injury and subsequent surgeries in the final settlement award.
- Long-term impact – Spinal cord injuries are notorious for having long-term consequences on a person’s life. Documenting these effects and how they influence your personal and professional life can help you obtain a higher settlement award.
- Legal representation – The cost of your lawyer will impact the overall amount you secure in compensation. At our law firm, we offer complimentary consultations to allow clients to experience our team and services before committing to a partnership.
Why You Need an Experienced New York Car Accident Lawyer for Spinal Fusion Cases
Spinal fusion injury claims can quickly become complicated and challenging to navigate. These cases may involve multiple at-fault parties and questions of liability. You will need to collect solid evidence to prove the extent of your injuries and the other party’s involvement.
At Chopra & Nocerino, our hardworking personal injury lawyers can help maximize settlement amounts. Our firm’s local knowledge, combined with decades of experience and proven case results, reflects our competency in handling even the most complex cases.
Contact Chopra & Nocerino for a Free Consultation
The attorneys at Chopra & Nocerino are genuine New Yorkers who stop at nothing to defend our clients and ensure their bills are paid. Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT today for a free consultation.
