Top Rated Philadelphia Spinal Fusion Injury Lawyers

Has your doctor recommended spinal fusion surgery for you or your loved one’s spine injury? Many people, including medical professionals, consider this procedure a last-ditch option because it is highly invasive and expensive. However, some spine injuries can be severe enough to require this surgical procedure, and if you are faced with this burden, you may be wondering if you can claim some form of compensation for such a costly injury.

You may indeed be entitled to damages if the spinal injury was due to someone else’s negligence. In Pennsylvania, The Brod Law Firm is ready to help you determine and fight for the maximum amount you deserve. The injury lawyers in our firm are experienced, competent, and compassionate, and for over 30 years now, we have been helping injured individuals and their families get back on track.

What is Spinal Fusion Surgery?

The human spine is made up of small stacked bones called the vertebrae. When a person has an unstable spine, a deformity, debilitating back pain, or a spine injury, this may require two or more vertebrae to be ‘welded’ together to eliminate motion between them and improve spine stability. This process of connecting the bones is called spinal fusion.

The goal of the procedure is to get the affected vertebrae to mimic the natural healing behavior of broken bones, where they naturally fuse together. To do this, the doctor places a piece of real human bone or a bonelike material in between the affected vertebrae, then holds all these together using metal plates, rods, and screws. All these parts can then ‘heal’ as one secure unit.

If the doctor is to insert real human bone during the procedure, that bone can be obtained from a bone bank, or it can be a graft from the patient’s own body. The graft may likely be taken from the patient’s pelvis or hip bone, and this requires a separate surgical operation prior to the spinal fusion surgery itself.

After the whole spinal fusion procedure, the patient will have to undergo rehabilitation for some time – typically for a few months – to ensure that the spine is healing properly.

What Injuries Require Spinal Fusion?

Doctors do not usually recommend spinal fusion unless the patient is suffering from a serious injury, severe pain, or disability. Examples of spine injuries that may warrant this procedure are:

• Broken vertebra
• Slipped disc or herniated disc – a common injury that damages the soft tissue acting as a cushion between the vertebrae
• Deformed spine – includes scoliosis and kyphosis
• Spondylolisthesis – a disorder that occurs when one vertebra slides forward over the bone underneath it
• Weak or unstable spine.

Spine injuries commonly result from excessive or repetitive stress on the back, such as from improper exercising, improper lifting of heavy objects, repetitive strain at work, bad posture, and the like.

However, many cases of severe spine injury are due to a traumatic blow to the back. This can occur in incidents of violence, as well as in accidents such as car crashes, slipping or tripping, falling from a height, and workplace slipups.

How Much Does Spinal Fusion Cost?

Spinal fusion surgery costs tens of thousands of dollars. According to a 2015 report in the medical journal Spine, a single-level spinal fusion procedure ranges from $11,000 to $37,000. Note that this is single-level – some patients require multiple levels of this procedure.

But the real cost of spinal fusion extends beyond the surgery itself. The required post-surgery recovery may include rehabilitation and therapy, which also means weeks or months of missed work. Some patients may even be forced to quit their jobs or change careers because the fusion immobilizes a section of the spine, affecting physical activities.

How Can I Be Compensated for Spinal Injury?

If you believe that someone else is responsible for your spine injury, you may be able to file an insurance claim for compensation. If the damages are substantial enough, you may also have the option to file a lawsuit.

However, even if you are only making an insurance claim, you may likely find that getting properly compensated is difficult. The field of injury law is a legal maze, and insurance companies can take advantage of this to undermine the value of injury claims like yours. Many injured individuals end up settling for much less than they deserve.

To fight for your rightful compensation, it is best to have a reliable injury attorney on your side. Your attorney can guide you on your next steps, protect your rights and best interests, and skillfully and aggressively stand up to insurance companies.

Reliable Spinal Injury Lawyer in Pennsylvania

For over three decades now, The Brod Law Firm has been helping Pennsylvanians like you get rightfully paid for their losses. If you would like to get back on track after your spinal fusion surgery, we can help you fight for the compensation you need and deserve.