Your doctor has recommended arthroscopic shoulder surgery, but you're concerned about the mounting medical bills and time away from work. How will you manage financially during your recovery?
At Kode Law, Seattle car accident attorney Preet Kode has helped numerous Washington residents secure fair compensation for shoulder injuries requiring arthroscopic surgical intervention. She will work to maximize your settlement and pursue compensation that addresses both your immediate and long-term needs.
Key Factors That Influence Your Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Settlement
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery settlements typically range from $30,000 to $225,000, though some cases involving severe injuries or permanent disabilities may exceed these amounts. This wide range exists because every shoulder injury case is unique. Jurisdiction, insurance policy limits, and case-specific factors all need to be evaluated by an attorney to better understand what a realistic settlement expectation might be.
Insurance companies and courts consider several crucial factors when determining appropriate compensation amounts.
Type and Severity of Your Shoulder Injury
- Rotator cuff tears. Typically, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery reattaches the torn tendon to the shoulder bone. Partial tears might heal with conservative treatment, while complete tears often require more extensive surgical techniques using suture anchors, resulting in longer recovery periods and higher settlements.
- Labral tears. These injuries often require arthroscopic labral repair or debridement, where the surgeon trims damaged tissue or reattaches the torn labrum to the socket rim using specialized anchors.
- Shoulder impingement. When conservative treatments fail, arthroscopic subacromial decompression becomes necessary to remove bone spurs and create more space for the rotator cuff tendons to move freely.
- SLAP tears. Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior tears damage the attachment point of the biceps tendon and labrum. These complex injuries typically require arthroscopic repair, where surgeons reattach the torn labrum and biceps tendon using specialized anchors and sutures.
Medical Expenses Related to Your Arthroscopic Surgery
- Surgical costs. Arthroscopic procedures can cost between $20,000 and $50,000 when including hospital fees, anesthesia, and surgeon fees.
- Diagnostic testing. Imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans is needed to accurately diagnose your shoulder condition. These diagnostic procedures can add several thousand dollars to your medical expenses and must be included in settlement calculations.
- Rehabilitation expenses. Physical therapy sessions, typically scheduled two to three times weekly for 8-12 weeks, can add to your total medical costs.
- Medication costs. Anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and muscle relaxants may be prescribed after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
- Follow-up care. This category of damages might include post-operative appointments, potential revision surgeries, and ongoing monitoring.
Impact on Your Income and Future Earning Capacity
- Lost wages. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery recovery periods typically range from six weeks to four months, depending on the procedure type and your occupation. This lost income forms a crucial component of your economic damages.
- Reduced earning capacity. Your wages can be reduced if your shoulder injury results in permanent limitations that prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or working at the same level. This is particularly significant for those in physically demanding professions like construction or nursing.
- Modified work restrictions. After arthroscopic shoulder surgery, you might need limitations on lifting, reaching overhead, or performing repetitive shoulder movements. These restrictions can affect your ability to perform job duties and potentially reduce your earning potential.
- Job retraining expenses. If your shoulder injury prevents you from returning to your previous occupation, the costs associated with learning new skills or obtaining different qualifications should be factored into your settlement amount.
- Benefits losses. This includes employer contributions to retirement accounts, health insurance, and other perks, which constitute additional economic damages.
The Role of Pain and Suffering in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Settlements
Beyond tangible economic damages, arthroscopic shoulder surgery cases often involve significant non-economic damages that deserve proper compensation. These subjective experiences, collectively known as "pain and suffering," can substantially increase your settlement amount when properly documented and presented.
Pain and suffering damages from arthroscopic shoulder surgery encompass both physical discomfort and emotional distress. The physical pain includes both pre-operative symptoms and post-surgical pain during the recovery process. Emotional consequences may include frustration with limited mobility, anxiety about recovery outcomes, and distress over inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities.
Documentation plays a critical role in establishing pain and suffering claims. Medical records noting your reported pain levels, prescribed pain medications, and treatment for emotional distress create an objective record of your subjective experience. A detailed pain journal tracking daily symptoms and limitations provides additional supporting evidence.
The team at Kode Law will help present compelling evidence of your pain and suffering, ensuring this significant aspect of your injury receives fair compensation. We can also provide guidance on what to consider before accepting a settlement offer.
