With so many people in California, accidents and injuries are seemingly inevitable. What this means, usually, is extensive medical treatment, up to and including surgeries. According to data from the California Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), there were 42,983 inpatient surgeries performed in California hospitals in 2022 alone.
Injuries can happen anytime, whether it’s a car crash, slipping and falling, or because someone else was careless. There are many things you’ll have to deal with, like large medical bills, extreme pain, discomfort, and maybe even losing money if you can’t work anymore. The effects of something like that can’t be erased, but you can overcome these challenges by exploring your legal options.
Let Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyers Help You
If you’ve been injured in California and need surgery, it only adds to your financial strain after an accident. Although it’s not necessary to have a lawyer for an injury claim, having our experienced California personal injury lawyers on your side can improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Through our expertise, we know how to navigate the legal system, accurately assess your damages, collect evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need, contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Injuries in California Accidents That Require Surgery
Virtually any situation in California can lead to an accident, from a car accident to slipping on a wet floor at a grocery store. Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in injuries that require surgery to help them heal and get better. Here are some common injuries that may require surgery in California:
- Fractures – Serious fractures, like compound fractures or complex fractures, may need surgery to put the broken bones back in place and make them stable.
- Spinal injuries – Bad spinal injuries, like spinal fractures or herniated discs, may need surgery to take pressure off the spinal cord or make the spine stable.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – When people have serious brain injuries, they may need surgery to remove blood clots, fix broken parts of the skull, or reduce pressure on the brain from swelling.
- Internal organ damage – Accidents can hurt organs inside the body, like cuts or holes. Surgery may be needed to fix or take out damaged organs, such as the spleen, liver, or kidneys.
- Joint injuries – Bad joint injuries, like dislocations or torn ligaments (like when the ACL tears), may need surgery to fix or rebuild them so they can work properly again.
- Soft tissue injuries – In some cases, injuries to soft tissues, like deep cuts or severe burns, may need surgery to fix the wounds or use skin grafts.
Remember that the need for surgery can be different for each injury, depending on how bad it is and the person’s situation. It’s important to talk to a doctor to figure out the right treatment for these injuries. In terms of paying for your surgery or other medical treatment, you’ll have to rely on insurance. However, you also have legal options.
Who is Liable For Damages in a California Accident?
To determine who is responsible for your injuries in a California accident, it’s important to identify who acted negligently. Each case is unique, but there are certain things you must prove to help your case. Essentially, you need to show the judge and jury that the other person’s negligence caused the accident. Negligence typically involves four elements that must be proven:
- The other party had a duty to act safely and not harm others.
- The other party breached this duty.
- Their failure directly caused the accident.
- The accident directly led to your injuries and damages.
Once these elements are established, you can better determine who is responsible for your injuries and damages, including surgery costs. However, in California, some of the liability can fall on you. This is known as “comparative negligence”, and it holds that your overall recovery can be reduced by the percentage of fault that you may have contributed to the accident.
What this means, is that if you can’t pay for your surgery costs, you have the legal option of filing a claim against the party at fault for your accident. Then, you can pursue compensation from them–more precisely, their insurance company–that can cover your surgery and other costs.
Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer if You Can’t Pay Your Surgery Costs in California?
If your injury requires surgery in California, recovering can be a challenging process that involves both physical and mental healing. It can also impact your ability to work and enjoy life as you used to. While hiring a lawyer is not mandatory in California for injury claims, having our team by your side can make the process much smoother.
At Maison Law, we are dedicated to helping you through your recovery. With our experience in similar cases, we can provide the following support for your situation:
- Gathering medical records and documentation to show the extent of your losses.
- Investigating the details of your accident.
- Determining who is responsible for the accident and filing a claim against them.
- Offering guidance on the legal process, available options, and potential outcomes of your case.
Legal Options in California Personal Injury Cases
Certain injuries in California require extensive medical treatment (like surgery) and rehabilitation. This means you have medical bills to pay and may need time off work as you recover. These expenses are the main things you can seek compensation for in a legal claim. In California, pursuing your legal options through an insurance claim or lawsuit may potentially allow you to recover the following:
- Medical expenses – You can be compensated for all the costs of your treatment, including hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. This includes expenses you have already paid and those you may have in the future.
- Lost wages – If your injury prevents you from working, you can seek compensation for the wages you have lost and any potential future earnings you may miss out on because of the injury.
- Pain and suffering – You can pursue compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by the accident and your injury. This includes feelings of distress, anxiety, or depression, as well as a reduced enjoyment of life compared to before the injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship – If your ability to live your life as you did before the injury is affected, you can seek compensation. This may include damage to your relationships and overall quality of life.
It’s important to note that the specific compensation you can receive depends on the circumstances of the accident and your individual situation. By working with our experienced California personal injury lawyers, we can guide you through the entire process, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your claim. Our main goal is to ensure your satisfaction and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Free Consultations for California Injury Victims
At Maison Law, we understand the severe financial and physical challenges you face after an injury, especially if it requires surgery and other medical treatment. Our experienced team of California personal injury lawyers is here to offer you the legal support and guidance you need. We’ll work tirelessly to restore your physical health and protect your legal rights. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to get started.
