A torn rotator cuff is an injury that can lead to prolonged recovery, many hours of physical therapy, and costly medical investigations and treatments.
Shoulder injuries can be a common consequence of a car accident, regardless of how cautiously you were driving or if you were using the car’s safety devices properly. A torn rotator cuff is an injury that can lead to prolonged recovery, many hours of physical therapy, and costly medical investigations and treatments.
Let’s discuss the most common signs of a rotator cuff injury and what settlement you can expect from the insurance company.
What is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the upper part of your humerus (the bone in the upper part of your arm) tightly connected to the shoulder. The most common causes of rotator cuff injuries are related to the wear and tear that come with repetitive movements of the arm away from the body, but also an acute trauma that causes inflammation or tears.
The severity of a rotator cuff injury varies from an irritation that can go away on its own after a few days to actual tears in the shoulder tendons, an injury that gets worse with time if left untreated.
What Are the Symptoms of a Torn Rotator Cuff?
If you have been in a car accident and start noticing shoulder pain, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any sign that your health might’ve been affected by the crash should be enough for you to see a doctor.
Signs of a rotator cuff tear include:
- Arm weakness
- Sharp, deep pain in the shoulder when moving your arm away from your body
- Difficulty sleeping because of persisting shoulder pain
How Can You Get a Rotator Cuff Tear in a Car Accident?
Because of the major forces of impact involved in a car accident, rotator cuff tears are quite common in crash victims. The typical cause of a tear in your shoulder joint is the fact that you reflexively tense your arm against the steering wheel, with your shoulder taking a lot of the force of impact.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Torn Rotator Cuff?
In Missouri, if another driver has caused the accident or is sharing the fault for it, you are entitled to file a claim to their insurance company. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your own insurance company will take over.
The average settlement for such an injury is difficult to determine since so many factors weigh in the calculation. Speak with an experienced attorney about the specifics of your case. They can help you determine what compensation you are entitled to.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
In order to obtain the settlement you need to cover your medical treatments and recovery, plus lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other losses, it’s important to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. Not only they will know what amount to ask for, but they will understand how to deal with the tactics used by insurance companies to pay less than they should.