The rotator cuff is an important group of muscles and tendons which help support and provide function to the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries come with varying degrees of severity, but these injuries often have a profound impact on a car accident victim’s ability to recover and get back to the life they enjoyed before the injury occurred.
For accident victims who are considering or already engaged in legal action to recover damages for their injuries, it is important to understand the importance of sufficient medical testing and treatment in order to prove the severity of the injury and justify a demand for settlement.
SEE MORE:
- $400,000 Settlement Recovered For Victim With Torn Rotator Cuff After Rear-End Accident
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Common Causes Of Rotator Cuff Injuries
A person may suffer a rotator cuff injury as a result of a car accident in a number of ways. Often times, the accident victim has a firm grip on the steering wheel and the sudden jerking motion caused by impact results in varying levels of damage to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint.
If a crash involves a side-impact collision, the vehicle side panel may intrude into the interior of the vehicle and cause blunt trauma to the victim’s shoulder. Accident victims also sometimes suffer rotator cuff injuries while trying to escape from a vehicle with extreme levels of physical damage.
Regardless of the mechanism for a rotator cuff injury, it is important that accident victims receive medical attention as soon as possible in order to get a clear diagnosis and prescribed treatment plan for recovery. Documentation of the diagnosis and treatment plans are not only crucial to an injured person’s recovery, but also serve as important pieces of evidence in the event of a personal injury claim.
Rotator Cuff Injury Symptoms
Moderate rotator cuff injuries often cause a dull ache in the shoulder area. This can escalate to more significant pain in certain situations such as sleeping on the affected shoulder or secondary trauma.
More severe degrees of rotator cuff injuries – such as a moderate or severe tear – can affect a person’s range of motion, cause difficulty sleeping, and even a serious decline in strength or feeling throughout the arm.
Diagnosis & Treatment For Shoulder Injuries
If you have been hurt in a car accident and are experiencing shoulder pain, receiving a medical diagnosis of your injury is important for a number of reasons. First, seeing a qualified doctor can help you get a better idea of the type and extent of your injury. There is a chance you may not even be dealing with a rotator cuff injury, so getting answers can make all the difference in the chances of a full recovery.
Once a physician has identified the cause of your pain and prescribed a treatment plan, you will find yourself in a better position to get back to your previous self. A clear diagnosis and treatment plan will also help support any potential claim for damages if, for example, you were injured in an auto accident or other type of incident through no fault of your own.
Contact A Qualified Attorney Today To Get Help
The award-winning personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group have helped accident victims across Washington state get the justice they deserve for more than 25 years. Our legal team has the experience necessary to help accident victims better understand their legal rights and make the best decision about whether to pursue legal action following a life-changing injury.
Call our legal team in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 today to request a free legal consultation and to learn more about the ways we may be able to help you get the best result for your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no up-front costs and you only owe attorney’s fees after we make a successful recovery on your behalf.
