Are you dealing with a soft tissue injury in North Carolina and unsure about your next move? If someone else is to blame, the team at Kreger Brodish LLP is here to help you demand they compensate you fairly. We’re ready to dive into your case, manage all the paperwork and other details, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf. While we do all that, you can concentrate on resting and recovering from your injuries.
Ready to get started? Then contact Kreger Brodish LLP for a free initial consultation with a soft tissue injury lawyer in North Carolina.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
A soft tissue injury involves damage to a “soft” part of the body, as opposed to a hard component like bone. Soft tissues include the muscles that allow you to move, the ligaments that connect bones to each other, and the tendons that attach muscles to bones. These body parts are soft and flexible to allow for movement and support, but they are also highly susceptible to damage and injury.
Doctors classify soft tissue injuries into several different types, which include:
- Sprains: Sprains are the result of the stretching or tearing of the ligaments, the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. This type of injury often occurs when a joint gets twisted, resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty using the affected joint. Ankles, knees, and wrists are common sites for sprains.
- Strains: Strains are injuries to muscle fibers or tendons, which attach muscles to bones. They result from overstretching or overusing a muscle, leading to tears in the muscle fibers or tendons. Symptoms include pain, muscle weakness, swelling, and limited motion. Strains are common in the back and the hamstring muscles.
- Contusions (Bruises): A contusion or bruise occurs when small blood vessels get torn or ruptured due to a blunt force impact, like a fall, strike, or bump. This can lead to a visible black-and-blue area on the skin’s surface. Contusions can affect the muscles and the soft tissues under the skin, causing pain and swelling.
- Tendinitis: Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, often caused by repetitive, minor impacts on the affected area or by sudden, more severe injuries. Overuse of a tendon over time can lead to tendinitis, which causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint. Common areas affected by tendinitis include the elbows, knees, shoulders, hips, and Achilles tendons.
- Bursitis: Bursitis involves the inflammation of a bursa, which is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, joints, and muscles. Overuse, stress, or direct trauma to a joint can cause bursitis, which usually results in symptoms like pain, swelling, and restricted movement. Bursitis frequently affects the shoulders, elbows, hips, or knees.
Steps to Take Following a Soft Tissue Injury in Durham
Taking the right steps after a soft tissue injury can get you started on the road to recovery while also laying the groundwork for a strong compensation claim. Here’s what you should do:
- See a doctor immediately to get a professional assessment of your injury. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely to document your commitment to healing.
- Record any expenses you incur due to your injury, such as travel costs for medical appointments. Keep a record of any work you miss or reductions in your income due to the injury.
- Start a detailed diary of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and gather and organize all medical records and bills related to your injury.
- Avoid discussing your injury or case details on social media platforms.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience with soft tissue injury claims, and bring them with the evidence you’ve already collected.
- Do not accept any insurance settlement offers without consulting your lawyer.
The Importance of Seeking Legal Assistance
If you suffer a soft tissue injury because of someone else’s wrongful behavior, a lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation from that person by:
- Gathering all the necessary documents for your claim, like medical records and bills, to prove how the injury affects your life
- Filing your claims on your behalf so that you do not have to deal with complex paperwork and deadlines
- Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf to negotiate for a fair settlement while shielding you from attempts to minimize the value of your claim
Insurers care more about their bottom lines than they do about paying injured claimants fairly – and they have plenty of tricks at their disposal to take advantage of soft tissue injury victims. Without a lawyer, you might not get the full compensation you deserve for your injury and its impact on your life.
Types of Compensation for Soft Tissue Injuries
A successful soft tissue injury claim can recover compensation for your:
- Medical bills for treatment you’ve already received
- Future medical costs for ongoing care
- Lost wages if you couldn’t work because of your injury
- Loss of future earning ability if you can’t earn as much as before
- Pain, suffering, and lost quality or enjoyment of life
The Settlement Process Explained
Most successful personal injury claims end in settlement. This process begins when your lawyer informs the at-fault party that you’re demanding a specific amount of compensation for the harm they caused you. Your lawyer will include all documentary evidence like medical bills and proof of lost wages to explain how they arrived at their figure. Next, there might be a back-and-forth discussion about how much money is fair for your settlement payout. If you both agree on an amount, the case will settle out of court, and you’ll receive your funds as either a lump sum or as structured payouts over time. If not, your lawyer can take the case to court, where a judge or jury will decide.
Statute of Limitations for North Carolina Personal Injury Claims
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations on personal injury claims gives you three years from the date of your soft tissue injury to file a lawsuit. If you wait longer than three years, the at-fault party can move to have the case against them dismissed. That’s why it’s essential to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Our Durham Soft Tissue Injury Attorneys for Help
Ready to take the next step with your soft tissue injury claim? Contact Kreger Brodish LLP today for a free case review with a Durham soft tissue injury lawyer. Our team is eager to listen to your story, explain your options, and get you the compensation you need.
