Soft Tissue Injuries
If you suffered a soft tissue injury and it’s the result of another person or entity’s negligence, intentional act, or any wrongdoing, you could be entitled to compensation. To recover damages, though, you need to prove the injury and that it was someone else’s fault.
Proving soft tissue injuries can be difficult, and so many attorneys turn these types of personal injury cases down. We, however, know you suffered pain and should recover damages for the same. Contact us today to understand your legal options and get fair and just compensation.
Let’s discuss your legal options.
Consultations are free, private, and individualized for each case.
How are Soft Tissue Injuries Diagnosed & Treated?
Typically, the doctor diagnoses a soft tissue injury via a physical examination, and that’s often because this type of diagnosis is difficult using diagnostic tools––soft tissue injuries simply don’t show up in X-rays. After an exam by your doctor, certain tests may be conducted to rule out other issues and confirm the soft tissue injury.
Treatment is relatively consistent for most soft tissue injuries, too. Treatment involves the RICE approach:
- Rest: You must rest to avoid additional stress on the injury. Rest means avoiding activities that could induce pain, swelling, or overall discomfort.
- Ice: To reduce pain and inflammation, ice should be applied to the injury. This can be done simply by using an ice pack or creating a slush bath (ice and water). Ice should be applied to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes. Icing should be repeated every two to three hours for several days after the injury was sustained.
- Compression: To reduce or prevent swelling, the injured area should be compressed using an elastic bandage. Be sure not to wrap the bandage too tightly to prevent circulation issues.
- Elevation: To reduce swelling, the injured area should also be elevated above the heart level. This practice is most beneficial at night.
When the injury requires additional care, massage or physical therapy may be required. Physical therapy is used to help stabilize and strengthen the injured bone, muscle, ligament, tendon, or joint. Sometimes, a brace or splint may also be needed to help the healing process.
What are the Challenges of Soft Tissue Injuries?
As implied, soft tissue injuries can pose serious challenges in two ways:
1. These injuries can be caused by a number of reasons, including an accident, and the treatment for these injuries may seem to be relatively simple and straightforward; and, as such
2. Insurance adjusters resist by all means possible compensating victims for soft tissue injuries, and when they do compensate, they try to apply a firm dollar amount on a “take it or leave it” basis.
With that said, you still suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, intent, or otherwise wrongful act or inaction. You deserve to recover damages for the same. To recover damages, however, you must prove the soft tissue injury was a direct result of the accident, and that the injuries you suffered are not as simple and straightforward as the insurance adjusters would like to introduce.
The Importance of Evidence & Proving Soft Tissue Injuries
Proving that your soft tissue injury was caused by another party’s negligence or intentional act is critical to recovering damages. If successful, you can seek damages for things like lost wages, medical expenses, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and even lost earning capacity since these types of injuries can affect a person’s ability to perform certain work-related tasks. The catch is proving:
1. You have a soft tissue injury; and
2. The soft tissue injury was the direct result of an accident or an intentional act; and
3. The alleged at-fault party caused the accident or performed the intentional act.
Things you’ll need to prove your injury and the other party’s fault include:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert testimony
- Videos
- Photographs
- Accident reconstruction report
- Etc.
You’ll also need to prove how the injury has detrimentally impacted your life if you want to seek not only economic damages, but also non-economic damages.
To help your case, always get immediate medical attention and treatment. The key problem with soft tissue injuries is the lack of specificity and clarity. A defense attorney or insurance adjuster can make an argument that the injury and subsequent pain aren’t as serious as you allege. These types of arguments can or cannot be successful depending on how persuasive the other party is and how well you and your attorney counter the argument and prove your case. Only an experienced attorney will know what to argue, how to use evidence, when to negotiate and successfully settle your case.
Get Fair & Just Compensation for Soft Tissue Injuries in Los Angeles
You may face challenges in a personal injury claim or lawsuit for soft tissue injuries. You need to know what your options are and what to expect. Contact us today to learn more and find the best solution for your legal situation.
