The delicate network of bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that make up the human shoulder can cause serious and long-term damage when injured. The road to recovery when dealing with an injured shoulder is rarely straightforward. It typically involves ample healing time and physical rehabilitation, which can take its toll on you physically and mentally. The fact that you may not be able to work and receive income while injured is also a serious consideration.
If you have been injured and are dealing with a shoulder injury, an experienced personal injury lawyer like those at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan can help you navigate the waters here and receive due compensation.
The Complex Anatomy and Long Recovery Timelines
Shoulder joints rotate, lift, swing, and handle a ton of weight and muscle control. Even minor injuries to the shoulder can end up having major implications on your range of mobility and livelihood. From rotator cuff and labral tears to severe fractures, you may be out of commission for a while with a shoulder injury.
Unfortunately, when dealing with a shoulder, medical intervention is often necessary. These are rarely injuries that you can just wait out with rest and immobilization. You will almost always need some type of sling, brace, or actual surgical intervention. Even with mild injuries, anti-inflammatory medication and steroids are often prescribed. There is a lot of tissue in the shoulder region that can become inflamed. Inflammation helps to delay progress while increasing pain and decreasing mobility.
Weeks, months, and perhaps even years of immobilization, painful stiffness, and a limited range of motion may be in your future. For many people with a shoulder injury, this makes working and performing simple tasks too difficult to achieve. Because of this, many end up suffering financial hardships and ending up without any viable employment. A personal injury suit can certainly help here if you were injured due to another party’s negligence. Whether in a car accident, a fall on someone else’s property, or a workplace incident, you may be entitled to compensation. Only a qualified lawyer can help you figure out what you’re entitled to depending on your personal situation.
Impact on Daily Life, Work, and Independence
Your day-to-day life changes after a shoulder injury. How dramatically it changes depends on the severity of the injury, of course. Though even relatively minor injuries keep people mostly immobilized and in pain for a while. Most types of jobs cannot be handled with a shoulder injury. Unless your job consists of being a store greeter or never having to use your arm, it’s unlikely you will be able to work.
Independence may also be a troubling area after a shoulder injury. For people who injure their dominant shoulder, everything from basic cleaning and hygiene to everyday tasks is effectively rendered difficult. Sleeping can also be a chore with a hurt shoulder. Some injuries are going to hurt no matter how you lie. Even for side sleepers on the opposite shoulder, rolling over in the middle of the night is risky. It’s easy to injure the shoulder further by twisting or laying on it the wrong way.
These are the factors that combine to increase the healing timeline. As long as that timeline is extended, the time you’re out of work may also be extended. What started as a straightforward shoulder injury could end up costing you multiple months without a paycheck. You’re looking at even more financial harm for serious shoulder injuries. The fact that you’re not making money is just a compounding factor on top of every other day-to-day thing you’re dealing with. A good lawyer may be your only reasonable recourse for any type of financial recovery.
Detailed Analysis of Rehabilitation Challenges
One fact that people with shoulder injuries often learn is that rehabbing a hurt shoulder requires a lot of work. This takes rigorous daily discipline and a process that goes through many ebbs and flows. Your shoulder may be feeling fine one day, only to start hurting more the next day. It can be entirely mobile with a decent range of motion before seizing up on you. Any type of internal inflammation can set back your recovery process.
If you’re involved in any type of legal action, it’s very important to document your journey here. Doctors and physical therapists will help you by providing details and signing off on paperwork. They’re witnessing what you’re going through, and you will have help documenting your issues. The court will want to see the full extent of the injury. This goes well beyond your initial medical bills. Juries award damages based on your quality of life, pain and suffering, and other metrics. Keep a detailed account of your journey throughout the injury.
Navigating the Legal and Medical Complexities
If your shoulder injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you have a great case for a claim on your hands. Generally speaking, this would be a personal injury claim. If it happened at the workplace, you may have grounds for a workers’ compensation claim. Just keep in mind that these two claim types are separate. If you file for workers' comp, you might not be able to file a personal injury claim. Seeking help from a qualified personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the field here.
It’s a common occurrence for shoulder injuries to happen during automobile accidents. If this is the case, then you definitely need the services of a lawyer. Auto insurers are typically billion-dollar corporations that fight hard to ensure that you’re given the bare minimum required. It’s quite common for an investigator or adjuster to show up at your door and offer you just enough to cover your medical bills. For many people, this is quite tempting. However, you need to hold out and follow through with a personal injury claim. You should be able to recover your bills, pain and suffering, and other financial losses.
No matter the severity of your injury, seeking out a good lawyer helps you stay in control of the situation.