Most consequences of a car accident can be seen immediately, such as the denting of metal or a laceration on someone’s skin, but lingering health may exist. Typically, when people think of car accident injuries that last for years, they think of whiplash or broken bones. Not too many people will think a torn rotator cuff could result from a car accident, or that it could haunt them years down the road.
What is a torn rotator cuff injury?
There is a grouping of tendons and muscles that help allow your shoulder to rotate in so many different degrees known as the rotator cuff. Chronic overuse of these muscles and tendons may cause them to thin or tear, which can cause soreness, pain, weakness, or sensitivity in the joint, especially when trying to move the arm or lift weight. Sudden impacts or trauma can cause a tear to form in the rotator cuff. Over time, even a minor tear can worsen and lead to serious, irreparable damage.
Usually, after a car collision, victims won’t feel any abnormal pain in their shoulders, or they might be too focused on other, more obvious injuries to notice the soreness. It may not be until weeks, months, or even years later that they realize the side effects of a torn rotator cuff, such as:
- Impaired shoulder movements
- Pain lying on the injured side of body
- Chronic soreness in the joint
You may be thinking that reporting shoulder pain so long after the accident that caused it is futile, but it isn’t!
Who can help me if my rotator cuff was injured in a car accident?
Our professional Hartford attorneys at McCoy & McCoy have more than 50 years of combined experience representing the unfairly injured in court and a dedication to personal injury claims that few other law firms can claim. If you think your shoulder ache might be the prolonged result of a car accident, no matter how long ago it was, please contact us as soon as possible. We can help you figure out if someone owes you money for your injury or your recovery costs – whether it is your insurance company or the person who hit you- and we won’t rest until you are given a reasonable settlement.
