Often, car accident victims face catastrophic injuries that cause pain in the neck and back. However, there are also types of injuries that cause pain in the shoulder region. The seat belt positioning and the stiffening of the arms just before the car accident is the most common cause of shoulder injuries. Shoulder pain may not exist right after car accidents and can take some time to surface.
Medical professionals recommend getting a quick examination done after an accident to determine if there are any injuries.
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Types of Injuries That Cause Shoulder Blade Pain
There are a few common injuries that affect the different parts of the shoulder.
Whiplash
Whiplash injury primarily affects the neck and upper back, causing neck pain and upper back pain due to the jerking motion of the human body upon a rear-end collision. However, the pain usually travels to the shoulder region, causing immobility.
Labral Tear
The shoulder is like a ball (the upper arm bone) attached to the socket with the help of a tough tissue called the labrum. Any impact or strain can lead to a labral tear causing pain and restricting movement. In some cases, there might also be a joint dislocation. Another injury, a torn rotator cuff, occurs in the same region affecting the ball and socket.
Bursitis
The joints have a soft tissue in between called the Bursae, which helps avoid the touching of two bones. A Bursae can erode over time with repetitive movements causing Bursitis; however, during a car accident, this can occur if the accident is severe enough. The Bursae get inflamed, making it difficult to move the joint due to immense pain.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These are the most common types of minor injuries from an accident and can cause chronic pain and muscle spasms if the car accident victim does not seek proper medical treatment. Depending on the accident’s severity, the specialist may recommend invasive or non-invasive treatments. Other types of injuries occur due to seat belt positioning, including thoracic spine injuries, impingement syndrome, and more.
Treatment for Shoulder Pain
Shoulder injuries from a car accident require X-rays to further determine the extent of the damage before pursuing any treatment. However, if you are experiencing pain after a car accident, you should not delay going to a nearby medical center.
The doctors may prescribe painkillers or NSAIDs, which can help subside the pain and reduce any inflammation from the injury. A specialist may also prescribe corticosteroids, administered by injections or taken orally.
If the doctors safely discharge you, continue with home treatment until the injury is fully healed. Using ice packs three to four times a day on the damage can help alleviate the pain and provide instant relief.
Depending on your shoulder injury, some doctors may recommend chiropractic treatments for pain management. A shoulder that moves from its place causes inflammation and muscle spasms resulting in pain. Spinal adjustments can help reduce the pressure on the shoulder and aid in a quicker recovery process. Physical rehab is a great way to regain normal mobility and strengthen your muscles.
Don’t Wait to Get Your Shoulder Joint Treated
Injuries to the shoulder, although not deadly, require special attention as these not only cause pain and discomfort to car accident victims but also restrict mobility in the arms affecting daily life. A victim may get out of a car accident fine but start to feel pain and stiffness in the shoulder later.
Doctors recommend getting an examination done to identify any injuries that require treatment. Immediate and effective pain relief treatment and chiropractic care can ease the discomfort and provide enough support for the shoulders to heal.
Shoulder Pain After Car Accident Compensation
A recent report suggested that car accident victims with injuries often experience shoulder pain for at least two to three months. This can last even longer if the shoulder injury is exceptionally severe. To get shoulder injuries appropriately treated, one must spend time in physical rehab for a few months and take time off from work resulting in a loss of wages. Car accident victims experiencing shoulder pain may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, physical rehab costs, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and more.
Since injuries to the shoulders can affect the quality of life, the average settlement is around $100,000. In some cases, the plaintiff takes home well above $500,000, depending on the damages done during the car accident.
Do You Need an Experienced Injury Attorney for Claims?
Getting legal help for filing claims is not mandatory, as you can do that yourself. However, insurance companies will most likely reject your claims and try to delay your compensation process. If you got severe injuries, it is best to rest and leave qualified and experienced legal professionals like us to take care of your injury case.
Whether a shoulder sprain from an auto accident or major injuries like rotator cuff tears, our attorneys have the right experience to get you the compensation you deserve. Our injury lawyers have helped thousands of clients recover medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Speak with a Shoulder Injury Attorney Today
Working with our experienced personal injury attorneys can help assess your economic and non-economic damages from the accident. We have the proper medical resources to determine the value of the claims. We can help file personal injury claims against the negligent party to get you the compensation you deserve. Significant pain or reduced shoulder mobility can affect the quality of your life, and our lawyers are here to protect your rights and get the financial means to help pay for your damages. Contact us at (213) 596-9642 for more information on how we can help.