Thousands of personal injury claims are filed in the US annually. Car accidents are the most common cause of personal injury claims but can arise from many situations. Any event where one person or entity may be at fault for the injury of another can lead to a lawsuit.
But what types of injuries are common to lawsuits? If you ask a personal injury attorney, they will likely have a long list of injury types from cases they’ve handled. It can cover everything from relatively minor injuries to ones with life-changing consequences.
Regardless of how the injury occurs, the person may need to seek damages to cover medical costs, lost income, and more. This post will explore injury types that may lead to personal injury claims.
Soft Tissue Injuries
With soft tissue injuries, you have damage to structures like tendons, ligaments, and muscles. These injuries are common in car accidents, slip and fall cases, and workplace accidents. In many cases, soft tissue injuries are less apparent immediately after the incident. It may take hours or days for the individual to recognize the injury.
Examples of soft tissue injuries include sprains and strains. Strains affect muscles and tendons, and strains involve ligament damage. Whiplash is a common soft tissue injury in car accident claims. Whiplash occurs when a sudden force causes the neck and head to jerk violently forward to backward.
Soft tissue injuries may cause pain, limited mobility, and difficulty working. This can lead to lost time at work and expensive medical bills. As a result, people often file claims to cover lease damages. However, the fact that they are less visible than other injuries can make it more difficult to prove soft tissue injuries in court.
Broken Bones
Bone fractures often result in personal injury claims. Car accidents and falls are common causes of fractures. It is important to note that fractures can vary significantly. The severity can range from minor hairline fractures to compound fractures. You also have various fracture types like comminuted fractures, spiral fractures, avulsions, compression fractures, and more. The type and location of the fracture can have a significant impact on how it affects the individual. Some heal well and only result in temporary pain and disability, but others may have lifelong effects.
Head Injuries and TBI
With head injuries, you have a range of injuries that can be among the most serious a person can experience. Traffic collisions are a common cause, but they also commonly result from falls, sports accidents, and assaults. While fractures to the skull or facial structures can be significant issues, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) tend to be the most considerable threat concerning head injuries.
Brain injuries can range from mild concussions to serious, life-altering brain damage. However, even what seems like a mild concussion initially could be a more severe injury. That’s why people should always go to a doctor when they have a head injury. Symptoms to watch for include headaches, dizziness, balance issues, and memory problems.
Burn Injuries
People suffering burns may also file personal injury lawsuits to recover damages. These injuries can result from fires, hot liquids, hot surfaces, chemicals, and electrical incidents. Burns are also classified into three stages based on severity. First-degree burns are the least severe and third degree are the most severe. Severe burns often require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, surgery, and prolonged rehabilitation. Burns also often result in severe pain, long-term impairment, and emotional trauma.
Joint Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when a joint is forced out of its normal position. Common examples include dislocated shoulders, fingers, elbows, and knees. These injuries are common in personal injury cases involving motor vehicle collisions and falls. The initial medical intervention for a dislocation is to reset the joint. After that, it may require immobilization and physical therapy to recover. It is also common for dislocations to result in damage to surrounding soft-tissue structures. In some cases, dislocations can lead to long-term issues like joint instability or chronic pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Personal injury claims involving spinal cord injuries tend to be among the most significant. These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis and may impact the victim’s life in many ways. Car accidents are among the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, but they can result from falls and other incidents. While some level of recovery is possible, full recovery from a spinal cord injury is rare. These injuries typically result in some level of permanent disability.
It is also important to distinguish the types of paralysis. There is paraplegia and quadriplegia. Paraplegia is paralysis from the waist down, and quadriplegia affects all four limbs. The effects of partial and complete spinal cord injuries will also matter. With a complete spinal cord injury, the individual will have no nerve function below the point of the injury. Individuals with partial injuries may still have some function below that point, and there may be a greater chance of recovery.
These are some of the more common injuries that may result in lawsuits. However, even within each type there might be varying injury types and classifications. Proper medical treatment should be the first concern after an incident. Once your treatment and recovery are on track, you can consult with an attorney to ensure your rights to compensation.
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