Hamilton Soft Tissue Injury Attorneys
Explore With Our Injury Lawyers the Concealed Dangers of Soft Tissue Injuries and Your Rights to Compensation in Mercer County, NJ
Injury to a soft tissue such as a muscle, ligament, or tendon is labeled a soft tissue injury. This kind of injury is easy to identify because it interferes with your ability to do daily activities or physical activities due to the discomfort.
For more than 50 years, Cohen & Riechelson’s legal team has provided experienced representation to injured clients in Titusville, Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton, and towns in Mercer County, Middlesex County, Burlington County, and throughout New Jersey. If you have experienced a soft tissue injury and require assistance recovering funds for your medical expenses, lost income, and other associated damages, take the time to speak with one of our lawyers in a free consultation today. Contact our Hamilton office online or dial (609) 528-2596.
Various Types of Soft Tissue Injuries in NJ
Many soft tissue injuries are experienced while practicing sports or running. There are two general categories: acute soft tissue injuries and overuse soft tissue injuries. An acute injury occurs due to a quick, trauma-inducing moment, such as sprains, strains, and contusions. Overuse occurs when the tissue is used repeatedly with less time to recover. Bursitis and tendonitis are overuse soft tissue injuries.
Bursitis
It is a painful condition that affects fluid-filled sacs called bursae, located around the joints to reduce friction during movement. When these sacs become inflamed due to overuse, the joint is painful when used. Hips, elbows, and shoulders are prone to this kind of injury.
Sprains
Sprains occur frequently. When there is a partial tear of a ligament around the ankles, knees, or wrists, there is a sprain. It is a dangerous injury because the ligament tissue intersects between two bones. The ankles are most prone to sprains as the foot turns inward or outward frequently when practicing a sport or climbing stairs.
Sprains are graded on a scale of severity. A grade 1 (mild) sprain involves stretching and damage to the ligament’s fibers. Grade 2 (moderate): the joint is very loose when moved in specific directions. Grade 3 (severe) is when the ligament is completely blown (torn)
Strains
A strain is similar to a sprain but includes injury to a muscle or tendon. Hamstring injuries are strains. As with sprains, a strain can range from a mild injury to a complete soft tissue rupture.
Contusions
A contusion is a bruise that results from falling or hitting a hard surface. Muscle fibers under the skin are crushed, causing blood to pool in the injured area and creating discoloration.
Tendonitis
Tendons are soft connective tissue found in the elbows, wrists, ankles, knees, and elbows. Overuse or use during injury may cause tendonitis. Tennis elbow and swimmer’s shoulder are examples of tendonitis.
ACL/PCL Strain or Rupture
The knee’s anterior/posterior cruciate ligament can be strained, sprained, or ruptured. Quick changes in direction, abrupt stopping, or a direct hit to the knee area can mean big trouble. Minor injuries are of little concern, but more serious ones can ruin a professional sports career or leave a person disabled.
Other Severe Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can occur in any area of the body with soft tissue. Whiplash, neck injuries, burns, and lacerations are typically found at the scene of an accident.
How can Soft Tissue Injuries Occur in Accidents?
The causes of soft tissue injuries are as numerous as the injuries themselves, but for the purpose of this discussion, only the most common will be mentioned. Blunt force trauma injuries happen when the body receives direct contact from an object. This can occur in a workplace or public places like a big box store.
A car crash can cause bruises, strains, and sprains. Whiplash, neck injuries, and lacerations are common injuries. Flying glass, metal, and road debris can cause lacerations.
How do Soft Tissue Injuries Happen on the Job?
Soft tissue injuries can occur at any place at work. A wet, slippery floor in the cafeteria, hallways, or restrooms can cause an ankle or knee injury. A hard fall can injure the hip, head, or spine. Electrical cords, extension cords, and uneven carpet edges can cause trips as well. Worksites several feet above ground can cause falls, especially when proper gear such as harnesses and helmets aren’t used. Running into walls, doors, or equipment can cause painful injuries when employees run from one office to another or try to get to the elevator before it closes.
This happens frequently in hospitals when patients have to be transported quickly from one department to another, such as the ER to X-ray and then to the OR. A quickened pace can cause blunt force trauma to the legs and shoulders of staff moving the gurney. The bruises don’t become apparent with the adrenaline pumping until everything has slowed down. In manufacturing jobs, a hand or arm can become entangled in cables or parts of a machine.
Repetitive motion is responsible for soft tissue injuries in the workplace. Repetitive motions usually cause stress fractures, tendonitis, and bursitis. Office workers who get carpal tunnel syndrome from using a keyboard all the time or workers on the line of a toy company who repeat the same motion with their hand eight hours a day may develop joint issues. Also, repetitive movement of the fingers, hands, or arms can cause soft tissue injuries.
Additionally, professional sports participants in roles from soccer and rugby players to martial arts and weightlifters frequently experience injuries. This can be stressful as their job relies on their ability to compete.
Indicated Treatment for Soft Tissue Injuries
The RICER method is most often used for soft tissue injuries. Rest, ice, compression, elevation, and a referral, if needed, are recommended for the majority of soft tissue injuries. If the pain worsens or doesn’t improve within 24 hours, your doctor may order an MRI and investigate further to change the course of treatment, including surgery and physical therapy.
Compensation for Individuals with Soft Tissue Injuries in New Jersey
Medical expenses, lost income, loss of future income, property damage, disfigurement, and pain and suffering are available forms of compensation for someone with a soft tissue injury that was caused by an accident involving someone else’s negligence or failure to take proper care. Going through the workers’ compensation process is also possible if the injury occurred at work.
Possible Issues when Seeking Compensation for Soft Tissue Injuries
Insurance companies tend to downplay a soft tissue injury to avoid having to pay higher settlements. Our personal injury lawyers recognize that this injury can make working and engaging in everyday activities painful and difficult. It can be challenging to establish causation. Even when the damage is tied to a pre-existing condition, the injured party is well within their rights to seek compensation for their injury. This is why we fight so hard to get our clients the financial recovery they need.
Get Help from Soft Tissue Injury Lawyers in Trenton NJ
At Cohen and Riechelson, our injury team is well-versed in the legal procedures that can happen to assure you receive compensation for your soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are as serious and life-affecting as broken bones. They require specific treatment and sufficient rest to ensure that you heal completely.
Our experienced attorneys hold ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to getting results for our clients with soft tissue injuries caused by accidents and work-related actions in West Windsor, Hopewell, Lawrence, Burlington, Ewing, and other areas of Mercer County and New Jersey. We are excellent negotiators willing to go the extra mile to ensure you get the best possible outcome.
If you or someone you know has suffered a soft-tissue injury at work or in an accident, don’t hesitate to contact us at (609) 528-2596 or contact us online. We are pleased to offer you a free case review.
