Types of Plastic Surgery Covered in Burn Injury Claims

• January 23, 2025
• Attorney Matt Stoddard
• Personal Injury

Burn injuries not only cause excruciating physical pain, they also leave lasting emotional and psychological scars. Survivors often face a long and difficult journey to recovery, which can involve extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and reconstructive surgery. The impact of these injuries goes beyond the physical, affecting confidence, social interactions, and overall quality of life.

For many burn victims, a burn injury plastic surgery in Atlanta becomes a vital part of the healing process. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality, mobility, and reclaiming a sense of normalcy. Burn injuries can cause severe scarring, contractures, and deformities that make everyday activities challenging.

Plastic surgery offers a way to address these challenges, helping victims rebuild their lives, both physically and emotionally. However, these procedures are often costly, and the financial burden of a burn injury can quickly overwhelm victims and their families. Between hospital bills, rehabilitation, and reconstructive surgeries, the expenses can climb into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Types of Plastic Surgery for Burn Injuries

Plastic surgery plays a crucial role in helping burn victims recover, both by restoring function and by improving appearance. Below are some of the most common types of plastic surgery used in burn injury cases:

• Skin Grafting: This process involves taking healthy skin from one part of the body (donor site) and transplanting it to an area where the skin has been severely damaged. Skin graft after burn helps cover large wounds, reduce pain, and lower the risk of infection.
• Scar Revision Surgery: Burns often leave behind scars that can restrict movement, cause discomfort, or impact appearance. Scar revision surgery helps improve the appearance and elasticity of scar tissue, making it less noticeable and more functional.
• Tissue Expansion: Tissue expansion involves stretching healthy skin to grow additional skin that can be used for reconstructive purposes. This technique is useful for repairing large burn areas without the need for skin grafts from another part of the body.
• Flap Surgery: For severe or intricate burn injuries, flap surgery provides a more advanced option. This involves transplanting living tissue from one part of the body to another, complete with its own blood supply. This type of surgery is often used to reconstruct complex defects or restore function to critical areas such as the hands or face, where mobility and aesthetic concerns are essential.

Other Procedures Essential for Burn Recovery

Burn injury treatment often includes other critical procedures. Debridement, the removal of dead or damaged tissue, is a necessary step to prevent infection and promote healing before reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgeries for specific areas, such as the face, hands, or eyelids, may also be required to restore movement, vision, or other essential functions.

Coverage for Plastic Surgery in Burn Injury Claims

Determining whether plastic surgery procedures are covered in burn injury claims often depends on the circumstances of the injury and the specifics of the claim. In most cases, necessary reconstructive surgeries are considered part of the victim’s medical expenses and are therefore eligible for compensation.

Insurance Coverage for Burn Injury Plastic Surgery

For burn injury victims, insurance is often the first avenue explored to cover the costs of necessary plastic surgery. Most health insurance policies will cover medically necessary procedures, which include surgeries aimed at restoring mobility, reducing pain, or preventing complications like infections.

Skin grafts, for example, are typically considered essential for treating severe burns, and insurance plans generally approve these procedures when supported by medical documentation.

In cases involving auto accidents, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage may apply. PIP is part of many auto insurance policies and can help pay for medical expenses related to burn injuries, including reconstructive surgeries.

Legal Claims for Plastic Surgery Costs

When burn injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence, a legal claim may provide the financial resources necessary to cover all aspects of your recovery.

Negligence claims hold the at-fault party accountable for the damages they caused, which often extend far beyond initial emergency care. Our burn injury lawyer in Atlanta can help you seek compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Medical Expenses: The cost of surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and follow-up treatments, including skin grafts and scar revision surgeries
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury and its aftermath
• Lost Wages: Recovery of income lost due to time off work for treatment and recovery
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the ways the injury has limited your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.

Legal claims can also help address gaps in insurance coverage. For example, if your insurance denies coverage for certain aspects of burn surgery, such as the aesthetic portion of scar revision for burns, a claim can ensure you are compensated for these critical procedures.

Factors That May Affect Your Coverage in a Burn Injury Claim

The severity of the burn injury is one of the most significant factors in determining coverage. Deeper burns that damage multiple layers of skin and tissue often require more extensive and costly procedures.

Larger burn areas may also demand multiple surgeries to repair and reconstruct damaged tissue, increasing the overall expense. Insurance companies are typically more likely to cover these procedures when the extent of the injury is well-documented and clearly affects the victim’s overall health and quality of life.

The location of the burn is another crucial factor. Burns on highly visible or delicate areas, such as the face, hands, or neck, are more likely to be prioritized for cosmetic improvement and functional restoration. For example, facial burns can impact not only appearance but also vital functions like breathing and eating, making surgery a medical necessity.

Similarly, burns on the hands can restrict movement and dexterity, requiring specialized reconstructive procedures to regain functionality. Impact on function is a key consideration for coverage. Burn injuries can restrict movement, especially when they occur near joints or involve significant scarring. Procedures that restore mobility are more likely to be covered because they directly affect a person’s ability to perform basic tasks and maintain independence. Reconstructive surgeries aimed at improving function are often seen as essential by both insurance companies and courts when determining compensation.

Finally, medical necessity is a decisive factor in determining whether insurance will cover procedures like skin grafts or scar revision for burns. Insurance coverage for burn surgery typically hinges on whether the procedures are deemed medically necessary by healthcare professionals. Insurers may scrutinize claims for surgeries that appear to be solely for cosmetic purposes, even if the victim feels emotionally distressed by their scars.

Having an experienced burn injury lawyer in Atlanta on your side can make all the difference in proving medical necessity and securing compensation for these vital procedures.

Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Burn injuries require highly specialized care due to the complexity of the healing process and the potential for complications. An experienced surgeon with a focus on burn recovery is adept in procedures like skin grafts after burns and scar revision for burns. These surgeries play a critical role in enhancing mobility and functionality, which underscores the importance of selecting a surgeon who specializes in treating burn survivors.

It is essential to verify that any surgeon you consider is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification is an assurance of rigorous training and adherence to high standards of practice, ethics, and ongoing education. Board-certified surgeons are more likely to be up-to-date with the latest techniques and safety protocols, providing an extra layer of trust for patients undergoing significant procedures.

Getting referrals from your burn care team or attorney is another valuable step in choosing a plastic surgeon. Burn care specialists and our burn injury lawyers in Atlanta have connections to qualified surgeons who excel in reconstructive procedures for burn victims. We can recommend professionals who have successfully helped other patients with similar injuries. Additionally, consulting with our burn injury lawyer can help ensure that the surgeon you choose is familiar with insurance coverage for burn surgery, so you receive the care you need without unnecessary financial stress.

Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer in Atlanta Today

Recovering from a burn injury is a journey filled with challenges. Plastic and reconstructive surgery can play a vital role in helping you regain your confidence, restore functionality, and rebuild your life.

Too often, victims of burn injuries find themselves overwhelmed by medical bills and insurance disputes. Insurance companies or at-fault parties may argue that these procedures are unnecessary or too expensive, leaving you to fight for the care you deserve.

At The Stoddard Firm, we help burn injury victims rebuild their lives. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of burn injury claims and the importance of plastic surgery in recovery.

We will work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.