Take your shoulder pain seriously and see a doctor right away
Shoulder pain after a car accident is common and may indicate a serious underlying injury.
You may be experiencing delayed, stabbing, throbbing, intense pressure, or tingling pain in your shoulder. When left untreated, shoulder pain can limit movements, and become long-term, or chronic. It can even develop into a permanent disability.
In South Carolina, car accident claims involving shoulder injuries can be significant. The amount of your settlement or verdict will depend on the type of shoulder injury you have, the treatment you need, and whether there is permanent damage.
Shoulder injuries related to car accidents
Car accident injuries that may be causing your shoulder pain include:
- Dislocation. The violent force of a car accident can destabilize your shoulder and knock the upper arm bone out of the socket. Dislocation may be partial (subluxation) or complete.
- Bursitis. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as a cushion between bones and soft tissues. They are all around your joints. When one or more shoulder bursae are inflamed and swollen, it's called "subacromial bursitis." Such an injury can make it difficult to do everyday tasks, like combing your hair or preparing meals.
- Torn rotator cuff. Your rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles located at the center of your shoulder joint. It keeps the upper arm bone in the shoulder socket. A sudden blow can damage your rotator cuff, limit your mobility, and cause intense pain.
- Fractured, cracked, or broken bones. Shoulder bones that are most likely to crack, fracture, or break in a car accident include the upper arm bone (humerus), collarbone, and shoulder blade (scapula). Mending shoulder bones can be a long and painful process.
- Strains, sprains, and tendon tears. Soft tissue damage frequently results from car accidents. Bruises, tears, strains, and sprains can significantly limit your movements and lower your ability to enjoy life.
- Frozen shoulder. If your shoulder feels "thick" or "tight" you may have adhesive capsulitis, aka frozen shoulder. This injury can cause a stiff, painful feeling in the shoulder joint.
- Impinged nerve or soft tissue. The force of a car accident can literally rattle your bones. Sometimes when this happens, a nerve or soft tissue gets pinched or impinged between bones, which causes pain. Left untreated, this could develop into tendonitis or bursitis.
Compensation for shoulder pain
Medically treating shoulder injuries can be expensive, and it's common for insurance companies to devalue, dispute, and deny claims. At Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law, we fight for crash victims in Lexington, SC, and the surrounding area. We understand what it takes to recover from a severe injury. We calculate compensation demands that address your accident-related medical expenses and lost wages as well as less tangible losses like your pain and suffering.
If you have a shoulder injury after a Lexington, SC, car accident, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. There are legal deadlines to consider when filing a claim, so don't delay. A member of our team is available to hear from you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us to schedule your no-cost consultation today.
