Muscle strains are not always seen as serious injuries, but they can result in significant pain and range-of-motion issues. Some of the most worrisome types of strains involve your intercostal muscles. Trauma and overuse could cause all types of damage to these tissues, making everyday tasks difficult.
If you sustained an intercostal muscle strain as a result of another party’s misconduct, you may be entitled to begin a personal injury claim. You could be entitled to compensation to address your medical bills and other expenses. Continue reading to learn more about intercostal muscle strains and how an attorney can assist you when you file a claim.
Understanding Intercostal Muscles
Your intercostal muscles sit in your chest wall and span the space between your ribs. They are essential for the process of expanding the ribcage during breathing and also stabilize the chest wall.
There are a few different layers, including:
- External Intercostals: The superficial layer of fibers that run downward and forward, lifting the ribs outward and upward when you inhale
- Internal Intercostals: This is the middle layer, which contains fibers that run at a perpendicular angle to the external intercostals, making forced exhalation possible
- Innermost Intercostals: This is the deepest layer of intercostals, assisting with breathing and stabilizing the rib cage
The intercostal muscles help move and stabilize the rib cage during breathing. They also assist with trunk rotation and other upper-body movements.
Symptoms and Causes of Intercostal Muscle Strains
An intercostal muscle strain refers to the tearing or overstretching of the muscles between the ribs.
This injury could cause numerous symptoms, including:
- Pain that gets worse when breathing, coughing, or sneezing
- Dull or sharp pain in the chest, ribs, or upper back
- Trouble taking a full breath
- Spasms or muscle tightness
- Tenderness
One of the most common causes of these injuries is the sudden twisting or turning of the torso. It can occur in a car accident that causes your body to jerk in an unnatural manner, and it can even result from a slip and fall that leads you to twist as you land.
Construction accidents, such as being struck by heavy machinery, or labor-related tasks, like performing repetitive overhead movements, can cause these injuries, as well. Even being hit in an athletic event could cause trauma to these muscles.
Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After Suffering an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
To be eligible to begin a personal injury claim, you must demonstrate that another party caused your injuries. You must establish that they owed you a duty to behave as any other reasonable person would. If they did anything that breached that duty and you suffered losses, you could be compensated.
The process is never as simple as it may appear, however. You will need to gather a significant amount of evidence to support the claim, including statements from expert witnesses.
Can You Recover Compensation if You Are Partially at Fault for Your Injuries?
Negotiating with insurance companies is a potentially frustrating process. They will be looking for any way to minimize your claim. One of the tactics they may try is to pin the blame on you for the accident. Virginia follows contributory negligence laws, so if you’re found to be even 1% responsible for your injuries, you will be barred from recovering anything.
Having an attorney makes a significant difference when beginning these claims. A lawyer will know how to combat unfair claims that you’re to blame, while presenting a clear case against the other party. They will also know all of the tactics that insurance companies may rely on, countering them so that you have a chance to receive fair compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After Suffering an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
Attorneys will also file your claim on time. There are statutes of limitations in place that limit the amount of time you have to begin a personal injury claim. In Virginia, you generally have two years to file a claim, starting from the date of the injury, but there could be exceptions.
Contact the Fairfax Personal Injury Lawyers at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Help
If you suffered an intercostal muscle strain that prevents you from working or living life as you used to, filing a personal injury claim could be the right option. These legal actions allow you to receive economic and non-economic damages for what you’ve suffered.
At The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm, our attorneys have experience assisting people through even the most complex cases. We understand the strain you’re under and are ready to take on the legal aspect of the claim so that you can focus on healing. Contact us today at (571) 229-1800 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fairfax personal injury lawyer to get the guidance and support that you need to begin moving forward.
