Soft Tissue Injury

Soft tissue injuries include injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These types of injuries might not result in wrongful death, but they can be incredibly painful–and can cause swelling, bruising, and other types of damage. Most soft tissue injury victims will have to follow the “RICE” treatment protocol to recover. That includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

In more serious cases, injections, medication, and even surgery may be necessary. 

What Qualifies as a Soft Tissue Injury?

Some of the most common types of soft tissue injuries accident victims suffer are outlined below.

Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck. Approximately 1 million Americans suffer whiplash injuries every year–most of them in relatively minor car accidents. Whiplash generally happens when the neck is overextended and the head is snapped quickly back and forth.

While many whiplash injuries heal quickly, about 25% of whiplash injury victims report symptoms for up to a year after the accident. 10% suffer permanent damage.

Bruising and Contusions

Bruising (also known as a contusion) is often caused by blunt force trauma. The accident victim can suffer pain, swelling, and discoloration of the skin. Treatment generally involves following the RICE treatment protocol.

Serious bruising can require medical attention–and you might not be able to work while following the RICE protocol.

Bursitis

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the joints. Direct trauma to the bursa can cause pain and swelling in the knee, elbow, hip, and other joints. In some cases, injections might be necessary to reduce the swelling and pain.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a common workplace injury caused by repetitive motion. While a RICE protocol is sometimes effective to treat the damaged tendons, other cases require injections or surgery.

Sprains and Strains

A sprain occurs when a ligament is partially torn. Strains are injuries to the muscles and tendons. In some cases, the RICE treatment plan may be effective in treating the injury. In more serious cases, surgery may be the only way to correct the damage.

Many soft tissue injuries heal completely. Along the way, however, you’ll likely be unable to work while your medical bills add up. If you’re interested in exploring your options for holding a negligent party responsible for the damage they’ve caused, call our law firm to arrange a free case evaluation today.

Common Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries

Any type of traumatic event can cause soft tissue injuries. Some are pure accidents. Others are preventable accidents caused by someone else’s careless actions. When negligence is the root cause of your injury, you have the right to hold the at-fault parties accountable for damages. Our lawyer at Hollander Law Firm is here to help.

Some of the most common causes of soft tissue injuries in Boca Raton include:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bus accidents
• Uber accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Boating accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Defective products
• Construction accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Nursing home abuse and neglect
• Assault and violence

If you’ve sustained a soft tissue injury, don’t underestimate the cost of treatment. Accident victims are often entitled to compensation even if they don’t suffer catastrophic injuries. 

Do you have questions about your injury claim? We highly recommend that you call Hollander Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton.

What’s the Statute of Limitations for Soft Tissue Injury Claims in Florida?

Florida limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit for damages. The amount of time you have depends on what caused your injuries.

In most cases, the Florida statute of limitations gives accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (prior to March 24, 2023, negligence-based cases had a four-year deadline). Medical malpractice victims have two years from the date they should have discovered the injury. If you were hurt on the job, you’ll have only 30 days to notify your employer and start the process of a workers’ compensation claim for benefits.

If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to recover compensation. Building a case always takes time, so it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after you get hurt. At Hollander Law Firm, we have years of experience handling soft tissue injury cases. Give us a call today to explore your legal options.

What if the Other Party Blames Me for My Soft Tissue Injuries?

Don’t let responsible parties off the hook even if you think you might be partly responsible for your injuries. The modified comparative fault laws in Florida allow you to recover compensation from other at-fault parties if your share of blame is 50% or less.

A percentage of fault is assigned to everyone involved. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation award is reduced by any percentage of fault assigned to you.

That’s why it’s so important to downplay any allegations that you contributed to the cause of the accident. The skill and experience of your accident lawyer can be crucial to doing just that.

What Compensation Can I Get For Soft Tissue Injuries After an Accident?

Soft tissue injuries can significantly disrupt your life. It wasn’t your fault that you got hurt, so why should you have to shoulder the financial burden? 

For example, the responsible party might be required to pay damages to cover your:

• Medical treatment
• Lost income and wages
• Ongoing future medical expenses
• Lost future earning potential
• Physical therapy
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as the cost of a rental car
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• And more

To get fair compensation, you have to prove the level of damages you’re entitled to receive. That can be tricky if you don’t have personal injury law experience. 

Our legal team at Hollander Law Firm knows how to prove what your personal injury case is worth so you get the fair compensation you need. Just give us a call today to learn more about what we can do to help with your recovery. 

Contact an Experienced Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyer Who Can Help

Did you suffer soft tissue injuries in an accident near Boca Raton, FL? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. To learn more about getting the money you deserve, speak with a Boca Raton personal injury attorney today.

At Hollander Law Firm, your first consultation is always free. Call today to learn how we can put over 30 years of experience to work for you.