Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | February 13, 2025 | Personal Injury

Slip and Fall Settlements with Surgery

Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of serious injuries in Las Vegas, Nevada. While many people suffer relatively minor injuries, others are left with devastating injuries that require surgical treatment. 

Slip and fall settlements with surgery are typically higher than settlements without surgical care. Here is what you should know about recovering compensation for your surgery and other expenses after a slip and fall. 

Common Surgeries Required After A Slip And Fall Accident

Falls can cause a range of serious injuries that require surgery. Many of these injuries are to the head, ankles, knees, back, wrists, shoulders, and elbows. The following are surgeries that victims might need after a slip and fall accident: 

Fractures

One of the most common slip and fall injuries is a fracture or broken bone. The hip, ankle, foot, wrist, and collarbone are the most frequently fractured bones in a fall. Non-surgical closed reduction may be used to realign a broken bone that is not displaced. 

Pinning uses screws or pins to hold a fractured bone in place while it heals. This is often used for ankle and wrist fractures. Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is used to treat more complex fractures. An incision is necessary so the surgeon can secure the fractured bones with screws, rods, or metal plates. 

Surgical treatment of a fracture usually costs $15,000 or more without insurance. Hip fractures are the most expensive to treat. About 40% of people who fracture a hip require nursing home care post-surgery. 

If you suffer a broken leg that requires surgical treatment and you do not have health insurance, surgical treatment of a broken leg typically costs $17,000 to $35,000 or more.

Joint Replacement

Sometimes, a fall results in damage to a joint that can’t be repaired. In these cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary. The shoulder, knee, and hip are the most common joints damaged in a fall. 

The cost of total joint replacement ranges from $30,000 to $112,000. A team of up to 25 medical providers may be involved in a patient’s care before, during, and after surgery. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries may require neurological surgery. For instance, a craniotomy or surgical removal of part of the skull may be necessary to relieve pressure on the brain. Blood clots may be treatable with a minimally invasive burr hole drainage procedure. 

Torn Ligaments

Ligaments connect bones and give joints stability. A partial or complete tear from a fall may require surgery. Most torn ligaments are repaired with arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure. 

In a fall, ligaments in the knee or ankle are most likely to be torn. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are ligaments in the knee prone to injury in a bad fall. 

ACL reconstruction surgery can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. This does not include physical therapy before and after surgery. 

Torn Tendons

Tendons connect bones to muscles. A torn tendon can significantly impair strength and mobility. The Achilles tendon and rotator cuff in the shoulder are the most commonly torn tendons in a fall. Surgical repair requires reattaching the tendon to the bone or stitching together torn ends. In the most serious cases, a tendon graft is necessary. 

The average cost of rotator cuff surgery is $9,000 for an arthroscopic procedure and more than $7,800 for a mini-open surgery. 

Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries are common after a serious slip and fall accident. These injuries can include herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and spinal cord injuries. 

Spinal fusion is a common surgery to treat severe injuries. This procedure requires fusing two or more vertebrae together. A laminectomy is also common to remove part of a vertebra to relieve pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord. 

Without insurance, the cost of spinal fusion surgery can range from $80,000 to $150,000+. 

Settlements for Slip and Fall Accidents Requiring Surgery

The value of your personal injury case depends on factors unique to your situation. For serious injuries requiring surgery, medical bills and other economic damages are often a significant portion of settlements. Surgery costs alone can range from $8,000 to over $150,000. You may be entitled to compensation for both current and future medical expenses, as well as lost wages and diminished earning capacity, if you’re unable to return to work.

Non-economic damages, such as those for pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and reduced quality of life, may also be recoverable. The ultimate outcome of your case will depend on the circumstances of your fall, the property owner’s negligence, and the strength of your evidence.

For more information, please contact our Las Vegas slip and fall attorneys at Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve Clark County and throughout Nevada:

Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
2300 W Sahara Ave Suite 800-816, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 706-7893
Open 24 hours

Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Henderson
2580 St Rose Pkwy Suite 330, Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 541-9766
Open 24 hours