Muscle & Ligament Injury

After an accident, it’s not always easy to tell the full extent of your injuries right away.

Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and unlike many other types of injuries, symptoms of soft tissue injuries can take time to develop and they aren’t always able to proven through things like X-rays. But just because soft tissue injuries can be difficult to detect, that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. 

Types of soft tissue injuries

Sprains & strains

The terms “sprain” and “strain” are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction between the two since each injury affects different types of soft tissue. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn while strains involve a muscle or tendon that is stretched or torn. 

Muscle sprains can be classified based on the severity of the injury:

• Grade I: The mildest type of sprain where the ligament is stretched or mildly torn, but the joint is still stable. 
• Grade II: This occurs when a ligament is partially torn, but the injury causes some instability in the joint. 
• Grade III: When a ligament is completely torn, rendering the joint unstable and non-functional.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of soft tissue injury in the neck caused when a strong force causes a person’s head to move sharply in one direction, then rapidly in the opposite direction. This type of neck injury is very commonly associated with car accidents and has been known to occur even in low-speed crashes. While whiplash often heals within a matter of weeks, many cases of whiplash are classified as chronic whiplash, which occurs when whiplash pain lasts for at least six months. 

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed, very commonly in the elbow, shoulder, knee, hip, and at the base of the thumb. While tendinitis is often associated with repetitive movements at work or while playing sports, it can also be caused by a sudden injury. 

Contusions

It’s very common for accidents to cause contusions, or bruising. Bruises aren’t always a minor injury that will heal without any complications. Severe accidents can cause contusions that damage deep tissues or result in bone contusions. 

Common causes of soft tissue injuries

Soft tissue injuries can fall into one of two main categories: acute injuries and overuse injuries. Overuse injuries are soft tissue injuries that gradually develop over time as the result of repetitive activities, but acute soft tissue injuries are the result of a traumatic accident. Very often, soft tissue injuries are caused by car accidents and slip, trip, and fall accidents. 

Between the repetitive motions often involved with working on construction sites and the risks of other types of construction site accidents, soft tissue injuries are extremely common among construction workers. According to the Associated General Contractors of California, soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves account for over 30% of injury claims in the construction industry. 

Damages in a soft tissue injury claim

Soft tissue injuries are nothing to take lightly. These types of injuries can have a significant impact on your life, making it hard for you to work or do the things you typically enjoy. If you’re considering making a claim over a soft tissue injury, some types of damages you may be able to collect include: 

• Medical expenses, including future medical expenses
• Lost income
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• In-home assistance

Contact a Los Angeles soft tissue injury lawyer

If your soft tissue injury was caused by an accident, one of the best things you can do is get in touch with a soft tissue lawyer as soon as possible. It’s not at all uncommon for insurance companies to try and dispute claims for soft tissue injuries and try to downplay the severity of the damage. Since the symptoms of soft tissue injuries often take time to show and the injuries can be difficult to diagnose, insurance companies will try to use those excuses as a way to avoid making a settlement. 

At The Wallace Firm, we don’t settle for less. Our soft tissue injury lawyers have successfully helped many accident victims just like you. We fully understand how serious your injuries are and aren’t afraid to stand up to big insurance companies to help you get all of the compensation you need. Our team is ready to go to bat for you so that you can focus on your recovery. Contact us today to get started.