Does Surgery Increase Workers’ Compensation Settlements in NC?

If you’ve suffered a workplace injury in North Carolina and are facing the possibility of surgery, you may wonder, “Does surgery increase workers’ compensation settlements in NC?” Workers in the Triad area, which includes Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, undergo surgeries through hospitals such as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist or Cone Health, which provide post-op physical therapy and return-to-work plans that potentially affect their settlement results.

When surgery becomes necessary, it typically signifies a serious injury that results in increased medical costs along with prolonged recovery periods and potential permanent disabilities. The worth of your workers’ compensation settlement will be significantly affected by these factors. Consulting an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure that all aspects of your injury and recovery are properly accounted for in your settlement.

Surgery Signals Greater Injury Severity

If surgery becomes necessary following a workplace injury, it suggests the injury is serious and cannot be treated with rest or conservative care alone. In North Carolina, the workers’ compensation for serious injuries accounts for the severity of the condition when determining benefit payouts. Injuries requiring surgery, such as a knee injury, shoulder injury, spinal cord injury, or amputation injury, typically involve higher medical expenses, longer recovery periods, and a greater impact on a worker’s ability to return to their job, factors that directly influence the amount of compensation awarded.

Workplace injuries and illnesses in North Carolina in 2023 reached 68,600 cases, with 40,900 requiring employees to take time off work or work under restrictions because these injuries were severe enough to possibly need surgical treatment.

When surgery is involved, insurance companies tend to give greater consideration to long-term limitations or potential complications. While surgery doesn’t assure a bigger settlement, it boosts your chances of receiving a larger payment if the surgical procedure affects your future work ability.

Recovery Time and Lost Wages Add Value

Understanding how workers’ compensation works is crucial when filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina. Your settlement amount depends heavily on how long you have been unable to work. In North Carolina, you receive wage replacement benefits, which are generally two-thirds of your normal weekly income while you are medically unable to work (subject to state maximums).

Surgical procedures usually prolong the medical recovery timeline when physical therapy or multiple operations are necessary. Extended recovery periods result in higher compensation eligibility for lost income. You can receive partial disability compensation after returning to work if you are unable to perform your previous job duties. The final settlement or lump sum agreement includes the calculation of wage loss.

What Surgery Adds to Your Claim

The economic value of your claim rises significantly as surgery introduces substantial associated costs. These factors contribute to an enhanced total financial worth of your workers’ compensation claim.

The expenses linked to surgical procedures create additional layers of negotiation complexity between insurance carriers and attorneys, which makes surgical cases more valuable compared to non-surgical injuries.

Medical expenses extend past the surgery and cover numerous phases of patient treatment, including surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, hospital or outpatient facility charges, prescription medications, postoperative physical therapy, and travel to and from medical appointments.

Permanent Impairment and Future Needs

When you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), the doctor will evaluate the affected body part to assign a permanent impairment rating. The permanent impairment rating determines your settlement through its effect on the number of extra compensation weeks you qualify for according to North Carolina’s workers’ compensation guidelines.

Operations causing permanent physical restrictions, such as limited movement range or continuous pain, usually result in elevated impairment scores. Surgery occasionally leads to additional medical interventions and requires ongoing therapeutic support. The long-term implications of your case determine if you receive a lump sum settlement or a structured payout, and the total value of the settlement.

FAQs

Contact The Sumwalt Group

Undergoing surgery can typically increase the worth of your workers’ compensation settlement in North Carolina due to added medical expenses, lost income, and enduring functional limitations. Each case presents specific characteristics that influence the final settlement based on multiple contributing elements.

The Sumwalt Group can assist you in understanding your legal rights and settlement choices if you have undergone surgery or are planning to undergo surgery. We have extensive experience managing complex injury claims while providing guidance throughout the settlement process. Reach out to The Sumwalt Group now to book a consultation session and advance toward obtaining your rightful compensation.