According to the CDC and a recent National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, around 37.9 million people visit the emergency room each year due to serious accidents.
Knee injuries are quite common among those cases, especially in car accidents. Negligent driving can cause car accident victims to suffer a variety of different issues due to a sudden and unexpected external force to the knee. Some of the complications that may arise result in long-term treatment and years of pain and suffering.
Of course, car accidents aren’t the only reason clients may come to you for help. Whatever the cause, you’ll need the right specialist and documentation.
Having a knee surgeon present their testimony helps with personal injury compensation. Here’s what you need to know and how you can choose the right knee surgeon for the case.
They Have Years of Experience With Personal Injury Cases
You don’t want to rely on just any physician to diagnose and treat a client’s injuries. Having a knee surgeon on board with experience in personal injury cases can make a world of difference. These surgeons have worked with attorneys before, and they understand the process.
They may have made depositions in the past, and they are willing to testify in court. This makes it easier on the attorney, as they already understand their role in the case and how it can help the client.
Having a knee surgeon testify in court can help a client achieve better compensation. Doctors and surgeons may present evidence through CT scans or MRIs.
The professional opinion stated by an experienced knee surgeon serves as proof of a client’s condition. It also outlines what the patient is currently going through.
Documentation Is a Crucial Aspect of the Case
An orthopedic surgeon documents the patient’s visits, results, and treatment plans. Documentation includes medical bills, after-visit summaries, medication costs, recovery timeline information, etc.
Doctors and surgeons that are familiar with these cases understand the importance of paperwork and other documentation. These papers can help an attorney during their case. If the case goes to trial, having a surgeon’s deposition can assist the client in achieving compensation.
The consequences of suffering a knee injury during an accident, whether due to a negligent employer, business, or another driver, vary depending on the severity of the injury.
Minor damage may only require ice, compression, and elevation. If this treatment fails, patients may need to undergo physical therapy. This can last for weeks or months and result in missing work and lost wages.
Common symptoms and complications from a knee injury include:
- Weakness or instability
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Limited mobility
- Fever
- Deformity
- Inability to flex the knee
Fractures often occur during falls or in car accidents. Patients that suffer a knee fracture in an accident may have to face weeks or months of immobilization and the use of a splint or cast.
Physical therapy is also often recommended after surgery. However, attending therapy sessions means more healing time and missed work.
Getting Surgery Can Increase the Claim’s Settlement Value
Injuries requiring extensive care can increase the amount of a personal injury claim’s settlement. This benefits the client and helps them to achieve the compensation they deserve.
Undergoing surgery also often involves the use of medications, physical therapy, and hospitalization. These needs count as recoverable damage.
Surgery isn’t always necessary, but in some cases, it can help an accident victim recover faster or more efficiently.
Individuals that have been involved in a bad accident and are suffering knee injuries may choose surgery if other types of treatment prove unsuccessful. Those dealing with significant pain and limited mobility often find surgery the only option left.
Having a knee surgeon on your side that understands the personal injury process means they’ll be better equipped to treat patients at this point. They have the experience necessary to spot injuries that result in significant damage to the knee and patients that can benefit from surgery.
They’ll also know how to document the necessary medical evidence needed in a case to show that a patient’s knee was damaged enough to warrant surgery and that the surgery would have a significant impact on their quality of life.
In cases where surgery is necessary to improve an accident victim’s quality of life, the claim’s settlement value can go up to cover these expenses.
Clients Can Recover the Cost of Surgical Procedures
The cost of knee surgery varies depending on a patient’s insurance coverage, location, the severity of the injury, etc. On average, it can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $70,000 or so.
That’s a problem, considering only 39% of Americans could afford to pay for a $1,000 dollar emergency expense. Those medical costs could wipe out their savings or leave them in significant debt.
However, clients can recover the cost of surgical procedures with the right orthopedic surgeon’s documentation and testimony. Injury claim settlements can cover the cost of:
- Surgeons
- Specialists
- Anesthesiologists
- Physical therapy
- Follow-up appointments
- Hospital stays
- Medications
Additionally, clients can receive compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, mental distress or anguish, and more. Their chances of receiving better compensation often improve with the assistance of a doctor, surgeon, or knee specialist.
Find a Knee Surgeon With Surgeons On A Lien
Finding the right knee surgeon to care for a client in a personal injury case is crucial if you want to achieve the best injury compensation. They have the experience necessary to document medical treatments, tests, and more. You can also rely on them to provide documentation and present a testimony, if necessary.
Here at Surgeons On A Lien, our referral service will connect you with doctors and surgeons that work on a consensual lien basis. Learn more about our extensive database of doctors on lien, each one with experience treating client injuries, and see how we can help you with personal injury settlement today.