When people think about personal injury lawsuits, they usually only picture catastrophic, life-threatening bodily trauma. However, something seemingly simple, like soft tissue injuries, can lead to financial stress on those who endure them. If you’ve sustained a soft tissue injury due to another party’s negligence, understanding whether or not you are eligible for compensation is essential. Keep reading to learn more about how to proceed and discover how a Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the challenges you may face.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries and How Do They Happen?
Soft tissue injuries are trauma or damage to tendons, ligaments, and muscles throughout your body. Generally, they can occur from repeated injury and overuse, but they also occur due to a sharp, sudden trauma, also known as acute injuries.
Many people commonly associate these injuries with sports and physical activity, but they can occur at any point throughout the day. For example, if you slip and fall on an unmarked wet spot in a store, you may suffer an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Not only are these injuries incredibly painful, but they can severely impact someone’s ability to function normally.
Generally, soft tissue injuries range in severity from Grade 1, a minor injury of overstretching or straining, to Grade 3, a complete tear. Fortunately, many injuries are mild, and Grade 1 injuries can heal in a matter of weeks. However, Grades 2 and 3 often require physical therapy to heal, and in some cases, torn soft tissue will require surgery.
Soft tissue injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Contusions
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- ACL, PCL, LCL, or MCL injuries (the four major ligaments in the knee)
What Should I Do if I’m Injured?
If injured, ensuring you take the correct steps is crucial to protecting yourself. The first thing you should do is contact emergency services. Not only will this allow you to receive the necessary medical attention, but you can also file a police report of the incident. Whether it’s a car crash or someone’s sidewalk wasn’t maintained properly causing you to fall, a police report is vital when filing a lawsuit.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you should take as many photos and videos of the scene of the incident as possible. This can help provide crucial evidence during a suit, as they can help determine fault. It’s important to collect evidence, as you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
When injured as a result of another party’s negligence, don’t wait until it’s too late. The Mathis Law Firm will work diligently to help you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you during these challenging times.
