If you have felt pain and stiffness in your shoulder after being in an incident such as a car crash, fall, or workplace accident, you may have suffered a rotator cuff injury. Even mild ones can cause significant discomfort, with more severe injuries making it very difficult for you to move your arm.
If you have suffered a rotator cuff injury because of another party’s misconduct, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses. Understanding what rotator cuff injuries are, what treatment you could require, and what filing a claim could involve is crucial.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?
A rotator cuff injury can include irritation, damage, or a tear in any of the muscles or tendons that surround your shoulder joint. The tendons in the rotator cuff move in a tight space, so they can easily get damaged. They sometimes even rub against a bony knob or a ligament, causing a type of injury called impingement syndrome or rotator cuff tendinitis.
Inflammation in the rotator cuff can also lead to shoulder bursitis if the swelling spreads to the pocket of fluid that keeps the rotator cuff tendons lubricated. Inflammation could even result in a rotator cuff tear, with the tendon breaking under the pressure.
Some of the most common signs that you may have suffered a rotator cuff injury include:
- Dull ache deep in the shoulder
- Pain that gets worse at night
- Shoulder weakness
- Trouble lifting or rotating the arm
A rotator cuff injury could be the result of trauma, such as a slip and fall or motorcycle accident, but it could also occur because of wear and tear. If you perform repetitive overhead reaching activities or prolonged heavy lifting, you have a higher risk of developing these injuries.
Treating a Rotator Cuff Injury
The severity of the injury will play a significant role in the treatment you will need. For mild injuries, resting the shoulder and alternating between ice and heat could be enough.
Physical therapy may be an option. Targeted exercises can assist with flexibility and strengthen the area. If you receive surgery, you will also require physical therapy to regain function.
If the pain you’re experiencing interferes with sleep, physical therapy, or daily activities, your doctor may recommend injections to reduce swelling. Doctors prefer not to offer too many of these because they can weaken the tendon in the long run.
Finally, you have the option to receive surgery. This could be necessary if none of the other treatments offer relief. There are numerous types of surgeries, including arthroscopic procedures that are minimally invasive. The most severe injuries could require a shoulder replacement.
The Challenges of Pursuing a Rotator Cuff Injury Claim
To be able to obtain compensation for the losses you suffered, you must be able to show that another party was responsible for what you went through. This means proving that they owed you a duty of care that they failed to live up to, resulting in the rotator cuff injury.
Proving negligence or wrongful conduct is not simple. You will need to gather substantial evidence to demonstrate what occurred, and you can expect the other party to pin the blame on you.
How Virginia Personal Injury Laws Can Impact a Rotator Cuff Injury Claim
Virginia is one of only a very few states that still have strict contributory negligence laws. This means that if you’re even 1% to blame for the incident that led to the injury, you could be barred from filing a claim.
Another factor that contributes to the complications you face during this process is the statute of limitations. In Virginia, you generally have two years to start a claim. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to recover any losses.
To address all of these challenges, you need an attorney. With a lawyer, you can rest assured that you will have as much access to pertinent evidence as possible and that you will file the claim on time. Additionally, attorneys know how to negotiate aggressively with insurers so that you have a chance to obtain the maximum compensation possible.
Contact the Manassas Personal Injury Lawyers at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
After sustaining a rotator cuff injury, you may be entitled to file a claim and recover your losses. This is not a simple process, however, and if you attempt it on your own, you could end up walking away with a much smaller settlement than you deserve.
At The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm, our team of attorneys provides the compassionate assistance you need to navigate the personal injury claim process. Contact us today at (571) 229-1800 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Manassas personal injury law firm and get the guidance and support you need to begin moving forward.
