This is typically based upon biased medical reports from so called independent doctors. $1.3 Million Verdict for 3 Level Cervical Spinal Fusion (Slip and Fall) Not actual restaurant where she fell. 3 level cervical fusion settlement workers' compensation. A cervical fusion can consist of: These are only a few of the options for cervical fusion procedures. Cervical fusions account for several sub-procedures that repair the damage done to the spinal column so you can return to some semblance of your original quality of life. The amount paid for a workers comp settlement for a cervical fusion depends upon several factors. Using this method, DREs are differentiated according to clinical findings that can be verified by standard medical procedures. Individuals with a cervical spine injury can experience symptoms of chronic pain that radiates down their upper extremities, causes general weakness, and results in frequent headaches. The spinal fusion patients were more likely to continue using pain medication. Therefore, it is essential to understand the full extent of what you are owed and can recover if you become the victim of a cervical spine injury and require fusion injury. The Law in All 50 States. Jeffrey E. Kaufman has extensive experience in workers compensation cases and has recovered millions of dollars in benefits for his clients. Plus, the good thing is lawsuit funding is risk-free, allowing you not to worry about having to repay us if you lose your case. The largest amount found was a $1,5 million arbitration award paid to a mentally disabled victim after an accident involving a special transportation bus. We know what to expect at every step of your claim - and what to do to protect your rights. Visit our Car Accidents page today to learn more about our practice. Average: $462,900. So if you are interested in learning more and a free legal funding case review to learn more about whether this type of litigation finance is the right choice for you, give us a quick call. has recommended you undergo a spinal fusion. The usual timeline for settling a workers compensation case is 12-24 months, with the average case settling in about 16 months. The attorneys at Edgar Snyder & Associates have experience handling workers' compensation settlements for neck and spinal fusions, injuries such as cervical radiculopathy and herniated discs, and other work-related back injuries - so if you have questions or think you have a case, give us a call at 412-394-1000. Your surgeon may recommend lumbar spinal fusion surgery if you have positive findings on objective testing and one or more of the following: Last year surgeons performed more than one million spine surgeries, with more than 300,000 of those being spine fusions. Lumbar and cervical fusions, however, are more common than thoracic fusions. It is an attractive option for disabled employees who want to move on with their lives. second level = 1% WPI. The more severe the back or neck injury, the more expensive and complex the treatment will likely be. Yes. $300,000 verdict for a woman in a car accident who sustained disc herniations, required surgery and experienced a 60% loss of range of motion in her neck. These risks becoming a reality for patients have led to rising medical malpractice cervical fusion cases worldwide. If conservative treatment (epidural steroid injections, chiropractic care, physical therapy, etc.) The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has published a fact sheet detailing the concerns associated with lumbar fusion surgery. You may also request vocational rehabilitation services to try to help you find a new job if you are unable to return to your pre-injury job because of the fusion. What Factors Affect the Workers Comp Settlement Amount in Cervical and Lumbar Fusion Cases? Your claim is lodged with the Personal Injury Commission of NSW, which was previously known as the Workers Compensation Commission. If so, you may be entitled to claim a Workers' Comp settlement for a lump sum in NSW for whole person impairment for a permanent injury. Some injuries are more severe than others and will warrant a more significant settlement value. Re: C6-7 Fusion and What Settlement Offers Should I Expect. Jury Awards $7,000,000 in Cervical Fusion Case - Judge Denies Defendants' Post-Trial Motion to Set Aside $5,000,000 Portion of the Verdict for Pain and Suffering . $775,000 Settlement: A young man was hit by a driver who made an illegal U-turn and ignored the right of way. On average, the chances of this reduced range of motionare as follows: There are a few additional risks associated with the procedure. Spinal or neck fusion is equivalent to disc replacement surgery. All rights reserved. You may be entitled to a workers comp settlement. Fusions are done either on the anterior (our surgeon will approach your spine from the lower abdomen for a lumbar fusion or front of the neck for a cervical fusion), posterior (your surgeon will approach from the back), or both sides of the spine (lateral approach). If you smoke, the insurer may argue that it should not have to pay for the spinal fusion until you quit smoking or cut down on the number of cigarettes you have each day because smokers are found to have a lower surgical success rate. Learn How to Calculate a Spinal Fusion Settlement Amount that Provides Financial Security for You and Your Family. ), or secondary to a failed back surgery, and causing significant pain and instability in the spine. Common diagnoses include herniated disc, annular tear, spondylolisthesis, stenosis, and other deformities that need to be repaired. One study found that more than 60 percent of workers comp claims that involved spinal fusion surgery was first reported as cervical or lumbar strain or sprain. This sum includes both settlements and awards given at trial. But, you are hesitant to have the surgery and want to negotiate aworkers compensation settlement. Additionally, even if you need to show that your injury is job-related, this does not necessarily mean that you must have been doing your job when you got injured. 25 Questions to Ask Your Workers Comp Lawyer. All rights reserved. What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases? Traffic Generally, employees who have suffered cervical spine injuries can recover benefits for their medical bills, loss of earnings, rehabilitation and retraining costs, and certain other out-of-pocket expenses. Metal plates, screws, and rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together, so they can heal into one solid unit. In my opinion insurers raise this argument because the younger you are when you have the spinal fusion, the greater the likelihood that you will need a revision fusion or an extension of the fusion to other levels as you age. If you wish to speak to an attorney in a free consultation, please contact us online or call us at 504-523-1500. Spinal fusion is a high risk surgery that comes with serious complications, including death. Settlements of approximately $250,000.00 for cervical fusion with issues on two vertebrae levels. The claim was denied and the settlement was reached after a successful result at the hearing level. Work Rates After Single-level Cervical Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease Compared With Fusion for Radiculopathy in a Workers' Compensation Setting . Our attorneys have been exclusively helping injured workers in Michigan for more than 35 years. Public Transport. Surgery complications also play a role since a cervical fusion can impact your range of motion and make it challenging to perform ordinary physical tasks. There are many important reasons why you should consider speaking with an attorney right away if you or a loved one have been injured. The severity of your injury and its effects will determine the amount of benefits you can recover. Dont let the insurance adjuster push you around. He was lifting something at work and pushing hand . 3-level cervical fusion settlement workers' compensation amount factors Timelines, deadlines, and limitations are also very important in legal claims. FAQs How Can You Get Free Legal Advice for a Work Injury? As one might expect, it is a major surgery. Settlement was reached in Brooklyn just prior to trial. Our Michigan workers comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and our clients love how theyre treated with care, respect, and responsiveness. Average workers' comp settlement for cervical fusion There isn't a specified average workers' comp settlement for a cervical fusion in Michigan. Individuals with a neck injury can experience symptoms of pain that radiates down their arm, weakness, and headaches. The car accident collision caused two herniated discs in Mr. Keiderlings vertebral column. Another accident, such as a fall in the shower or an auto crash, is the reason you need a spinal fusion, not the work injury. Body Part: face, eye Injury: right orbital blowout fracture Amount: $35,000 Claimant sustained a severe facial injury while employed as a teacher when he was struck in the face with a stapler. One surgery that is becoming more common for the back and neck injury types and is seeing increased coverage is cervical fusion injuries. The average work comp settlement for spinal fusion is not a one-size-fits-all equation. Cervical fusion is a life-changing procedure that, most often, the need for it would result from you suffering an injury in a catastrophe requiring it. Statistics published by the Workers Disability Compensation Agency show the average payout amount for a work-related injury in Michigan was $59,235.42 in 2020. The law is subject to frequent changes and varies from one jurisdiction to another. Required fields are marked *. Each month, thousands of web visitors read his articles and posts. As the Shepherd Center explains, [b]eing closer to the brain and affecting a larger portion of the body, cervical spinal cord injuries are typically the most severe variety of spinal cord injury. The specific effects of a cervical spine injury depend on which specific vertebrae, discs, or nerves are impacted. We know the right expert doctors who are experienced and knowledgeable about neck fusion surgery can properly assess your injury and its likely success and medical care outcomes. Do You Need Free Workers Comp Legal Advice? In some situations, it may be possible to settle a case before litigation, but in other instances, civil litigation may be necessary. The process of filing for workers compensation starts with reporting your injury to your employer. Mr. Cardona was a passenger in a small sport utility car along the highway and reached an intersection. You are too young to have a fusion. For example, the Cleveland Clinic notes that, [straining] your neck often for your job, like looking overhead (for example, painters) or downward (plumbers or flooring installers) for many hours every day or keeping your head at an improper position for long periods of time (for example, staring at a computer screen that is too high or low), can cause cervical spondylosis. However, an Administrative Law Judge must still approve the settlement. Copyright 2022 PK Simpson Injury Compensation Lawyers. And there was a risk of some type of complication post-surgery and the need for repeat surgery. While the cases vary wildly, they prove that cervical fusion is a costly and intensive treatment option that can increase settlement amounts. Dr. Trang Nguyen of University of Cincinnati College of Medicine led a study that suggested spinal fusion surgery may not be an effective operation for workers comp patients with degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or nerve root disease. Compensation lump sum amounts payable for claims made on or after 19 June 2012 are set out in the table below: For injuries sustained after August 5, 2015, the amount payable for lump sum compensation has increased according to the table below: To claim lump-sum compensation for permanent impairment for your neck injury and resulting cervical fusion surgery, you will need to contact specialist personal injury lawyers such as those at PK Simpson in Sydney. Applying for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) is usually the next step. Settlements are highly variable. A Buffalo man received $100,000.00 for injuries to his low back, which required multiple surgeries. You can reach us any time, any day at 860-523-8783. As long as you receive a Workers Compensation Award Letter providing medical benefits for your work injury and you can prove that the proposed spine fusion procedure is reasonable, necessary, and related to that injury. When Can You Seek a Cervical Spine Injury Workers Comp Settlement? What are the Different Spinal Fusion Techniques Used to Treat Injured Workers and Accident Victims? If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below), so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. If you had spinal fusion surgery, you may claim for additional impairment for the effects of the cervical operation including serious complications. Within seven working days after receiving notice from your surgeon the insurer must either: 1) approve or deny the surgery; 2) request additional information from .