Guide
When a surgery goes wrong, the consequences can be life-changing. Surgical errors – such as a procedure on the wrong body part, a critical mistake during an operation, or post-operative negligence – often leave patients in worse condition than before. Beyond the physical trauma, victims of surgical malpractice face a long road to recovery and a complex legal battle. Medical errors are disturbingly common – a Johns Hopkins study estimates they cause over 250,000 U.S. deaths each year. Those who survive serious surgical errors may endure pain, disability, and mounting expenses.
If you or a loved one is pursuing a surgical error claim, you might be struggling with medical bills and lost income while your lawsuit unfolds. Pre-settlement funding is one option to help you stay financially stable during this time. It provides a cash advance on your pending settlement, giving you funds now to cover expenses as you focus on healing.
The Toll of a Surgical Error on Patients
A botched surgery might require additional corrective procedures and a much longer recovery, sometimes even leading to permanent disability or chronic pain. Legally, proving a surgical error claim is challenging and often lengthy. Your attorney must gather strong evidence and expert testimony to show the surgeon’s negligence, since hospitals rarely admit fault.
Financial Challenges in Surgical Error Cases
In the aftermath of a surgical error, financial strains often hit hard:
Skyrocketing medical bills: You might be facing the costs of emergency care, follow-up surgeries, additional hospital stays, medications, and rehabilitation services. These bills can total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if long-term care is needed.
Lost income: While recovering, you may be unable to work for weeks or months. Some patients never return to the same earning capacity if the error caused a lasting disability. The loss of wages, combined with high medical costs, can quickly deplete savings.
Everyday expenses continue: Rent or mortgage payments, utilities, car payments, and groceries don’t stop just because you’re injured. Many families find themselves juggling these regular bills on top of new medical expenses, sometimes relying on credit cards or loans to get by.
All these factors put surgical error victims in a tough spot: the lawsuit for compensation may eventually pay these bills, but in the meantime, the money has to come from somewhere. It’s no surprise that insurance companies often drag their feet in such cases – they know victims might feel pressured to accept a smaller, quick settlement if bills are piling upi.
Tip: Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and receipts related to the surgical error. Not only will this documentation support your legal claim, it also helps if you apply for pre-settlement funding by demonstrating your financial needs and the extent of damages.
What Is Pre-Settlement Funding and How Does It Work?
Pre-settlement funding is a financial service designed specifically for plaintiffs in lawsuits like yours. It’s not a traditional loan; rather, it’s a cash advance against your future settlement. In practical terms, a funding company evaluates the merits of your surgical error case – reviewing factors like clear proof of malpractice and the estimated settlement value – and offers you a portion of that future settlement upfront.
Key features of pre-settlement funding:
No risk if you lose: Reputable funding companies provide non-recourse advances. This means if your case doesn’t end in a successful settlement or verdict, you owe nothing back.
No monthly payments: You don’t have to worry about another bill each month. The advance (plus agreed-upon fees or interest) is repaid in one lump sum from the eventual settlement, handled directly by your attorney.
Based on case strength, not credit: Approval for funding depends on the details of your case, not your personal credit score or income. Even if you’re out of work due to the injury and have poor credit, that won’t disqualify you. What matters is that you have a solid claim with the potential for a favorable outcome.
Quick access to cash: Once approved, you can receive funds in as little as a few days. This quick turnaround is crucial for surgical error victims who might need money immediately for medical care or living expenses.
Flexible use of funds: You can use the money for any expenses – there are no restrictions. Many people use pre-settlement funds to pay medical bills, cover household costs, or pay down debt accrued during their recovery.
In essence, pre-settlement funding lets you leverage your expected settlement now, so you can stay afloat financially while your case is still pending.
Benefits of Pre-Settlement Funding for Surgical Error Plaintiffs
Pre-settlement funding can provide a lifeline in a surgical malpractice case by:
Ensuring continuity of care: With funds available, you can pay for necessary treatments or rehabilitation that you might otherwise postpone due to cost. Your health comes first, and having financial support means you don’t have to delay care.
Relieving financial stress: The advance can cover your mortgage, rent, utilities, and groceries, keeping your household stable. Removing the day-to-day money worries gives you and your family breathing room during a difficult period.
Strengthening your legal position: With bills under control, you won’t feel forced to accept a low settlement out of desperation. You gain the ability to wait for a fair offer. This puts pressure back on the insurance company, as they can no longer exploit your financial need. In short, funding lets you fight for the full value of your case rather than settling early.
No upfront cost or risk: Because the funding is non-recourse, there’s no danger of owing money if the case doesn’t succeed. That safety net can give you peace of mind. You’re not adding debt that could come back to haunt you; you’re essentially advancing your own future settlement without personal liability.
Victims of surgical errors have enough to worry about with their health and lawsuit. Pre-settlement funding is one way to ease the financial burden so you can concentrate on recovery and justice.
How to Apply for Pre-Settlement Funding
If you decide to pursue pre-settlement funding, the process is straightforward:
Consult your attorney and apply: Discuss funding with your lawyer and apply to a reputable provider like Instabridge. The application will ask for basic details about your case and attorney; there's no cost to apply and no credit check.
Case evaluation: The funding company coordinates with your attorney to review your case details (medical records, claims, etc.) and assess its strength and value.
Approval and offer: If your case qualifies, the company extends a funding offer outlining the advance amount and terms. You and your lawyer should review these terms carefully and ask any questions.
Receive your funds: Once you accept the offer and sign the agreement, funds are sent to you—often within 24–48 hours. You can then use the money immediately for medical bills, living expenses, or other needs while your case proceeds.
This entire process can happen quickly, often in just a few days, which is a relief when you have urgent bills. Importantly, a quality funding company like Instabridge will guide you at each step, working in coordination with your attorney so that everything is handled professionally and efficiently.
Conclusion
A surgical error can shatter your health, confidence, and finances. While no one can undo the harm, pre-settlement funding can help you cope financially while pursuing justice, easing the pressure so you can focus on healing. Instabridge understands the unique challenges of surgical error claims and offers support with no hidden fees and no repayment unless you win. You’ve been through enough – let us help lighten the burden as you fight for fair compensation.
Ready to explore your funding options? Contact Instabridge today for a free consultation. Our team will answer your questions and work quickly to provide the financial stability you need. With Instabridge by your side, you don’t have to weather the aftermath of a surgical mistake alone.
