Medical Bills in Spine Injury Cases: A Closer Look
Spine injuries are among the most life-changing catastrophic personal injuries. The medical bills alone could exceed a few million dollars in serious cases. Frequently, health insurance companies refuse to pay all these costs, for business reasons. The total costs, in the end, are far too great for most people to pay on their own.
Unlike some other states, Florida has no economic or noneconomic damages caps. So, a Tampa personal injury attorney can obtain full compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
What Causes Spine Injuries?
Negligence, or a lack of care, causes most spine injury cases. If the victim/plaintiff establishes negligence in court, the aforementioned compensation is usually available. Some frequent spine injury causes include:
- Motor Vehicle Collisions: Sometimes, the motion alone causes a serious spine injury. Whiplash is one of the most common car crash injuries. Trauma causes a number of spine injuries as well. Airbags and seatbelts can only absorb so much force.
- Falls: Both slip-and-fall injuries and falls from a height often cause spine injuries, especially if the victim has a pre-existing condition, like a previous back injury. Generally, full compensation is available in such incidents.
- Medical Malpractice: Back surgery is a delicate procedure. Doctors have a very high legal responsibility in these situations. What might be an accident in some contexts is usually medical negligence.
In all these cases, insurance companies usually have some legal defenses. For example, both parties are often at fault in a car crash, at least to some extent. And, in fall injury claims, Florida has a very liberal open and obvious defense. The best attorneys do not just build claims for relief. They also anticipate insurance company defenses, so they can better refute them.
Assistance with Medical Expenses
As mentioned, spine injuries are delicate matters. Family practice doctors are usually not able to deal with these injuries. So, an attorney refers victims to physicians who focus on these wounds. Additionally, these physicians usually focus on injury-related spine problems. These issues are different from genetic, wear-and tear, or other problems.
Generally, doctors charge nothing upfront for this assistance. Usually, attorneys send letters of protection to medical professionals. These letters guarantee payment when the case is resolved.
As a bonus, attorneys often negotiate with medical providers to reduce the amount due. That could mean that victims get to keep more of their settlement money.
Resolving Spine Injury Claims
A proper and just resolution to spine injury case could take years to achieve. Look for a law firm with the staff and financial strength to litigate your claim. Insurance companies know when a plaintiff’s lawyer is outmatched and unprepared to handle such a complex claim. Since 1976, our firm has proven track record of successfully recovering large sums in serious spine injury cases.
Connect with Experienced and Passionate Lawyers
Serious spine injuries require top-notch legal assistance. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Tampa, contact The Matassini Law Firm. The firm’s two principal partners, Nicholas M. Matassini and Nicholas G. Matassini are both AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and have decades of experience handling complex spinal injury litigation.
