Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is actually a group of four muscles and ligaments in the shoulder. These muscles work together to keep your arm planted firmly in the shoulder socket. Rotator cuff injuries occur when any or all of these muscles or ligaments become weakened or damaged.

When the rotator cuff is injured, the arm is not able to move as it should. You can experience a limited range of motion, dull aching pains, and/or sharp pains.

What are Common Types of Rotator Cuff Injuries?

There are three primary types of rotator cuff injuries: tendinitis, bursitis, and tears. Any one of these can interfere with your normal daily activities and ability to work. .

Tendinitis: Tendonitis occurs when the rotator cuff is overused. The tendons that attach the rotator cuff muscles to the arm bone become inflamed. The result is pain in the joint and limited mobility.

Bursitis: Bursitis refers to inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that are located around your joints. These sacs help to prevent hard surfaces in the body from rubbing against one another and creating friction. When the bursae are inflamed, you are more likely to experience sharp pains and experience limited mobility in your shoulder and arm.

Tears: Tears, which are also known as strains, refer to the actual tearing or stretching of the tendons that attach your rotator cuff muscles to the bone in your arm. Rotator cuff tears occur most often when you are injured in a traumatic accident. Tears frequently cause immediate and excruciating pain.

Each of these injuries can cause a range of painful symptoms. You might have dull and aching pains when trying to move your arm above your head or sharp pains during certain activities that require the use of your arms. Alternatively, you might have difficulty sleeping on your side or general weakness in your shoulder. Serious rotator cuff injuries can result in limited range of motion and chronic pain.

What are the Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries?

A person can injury their rotator cuffs in any number of ways. Typically, there are two primary causes of rotator cuff injuries: overuse and trauma.

Rotator cuff injuries are often the result of overuse. This type of injury can happen over time if you tend to use your arms above your head. It is not uncommon for certain workers to suffer rotator cuff injuries. If you have suffered a rotator cuff injury on the job, you may be entitled to workers compensation.

Workers who may be at risk of a rotator cuff injury include:

• Painters
• Construction workers
• Agricultural workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Industrial workers, and
• Athletes.

Sudden trauma can also cause you to suffer damage to your rotator cuff. Tears and strains are the most frequently reported rotator cuff injury after an accident. Traumatic events that often cause rotator cuff injuries include:

• Car accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accident
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Boating accidents
• Recreational vehicle accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Construction accidents
• Elevator accidents, and
• Slip and fall accidents.

In reality, any accident can cause a rotator cuff injury. In fact they are one of the most common injuries in the United States.

What Damages Are Available to Rotator Cuff Injury Victims?

Rotator cuff injuries can affect every aspect of your life. Serious injuries may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. You may have to miss time at work or find a new line of work altogether. The costs of a rotator cuff injury can be overwhelming. Filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages can help to minimize the financial stress you experience.

An rotator cuff injury victim may be entitled to two forms of compensation: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages help to compensate for the verifiable financial costs of your accident. These can include compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation
• Medication
• Property damage
• Disability, and
• Lost wages.

Non-economic damages help to compensate for the physical and emotional consequences of your accident and injury. These damages are very personal and, as a result, hard to value. These can include compensation for:

• Chronic pain
• Suffering
• Emotional distress
• Depression, and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Call Lavent Law, P.A. to find out how we can help you get the money you deserve after your Miami accident. We offer a free consultation, so do not hesitate to call us today.

Can I Recover Money if I Contributed to My Accident?

Many accidents have multiple causes and multiple blameworthy parties, especially motor vehicle accidents and slip and falls. Fortunately, you can still recover compensation if you are partially at fault for your rotator cuff injuries.

Florida is a pure comparitive fault state. You can recover damages even if you are up to 99% responsible for your injuries. However, a court or jury will reduce your damages to account for your share of fault. For example, if you have $40,000 in damages after a car accident but are 10% at fault, you can only recover $36,000 (90%).

How Long Do I Have to File a Rotator Cuff Injury Case?

If you injured your rotator cuff, you are under a deadline to file your personal injury claim on time. Florida’s statute of limitations gives you four years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury suit. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to recover any compensation.

You shouldn’t delay your injury claim. Four years sounds like a long time, and it is. However, the longer you wait, the harder it may be to prove your claim. Evidence may be lost; witnesses’ memories may fade. It’s best to pursue your claim as soon as possible after your accident.

Contact a Miami Personal Injury Lawyer

Have you recently suffered a rotator cuff injury in Miami? Did you suffer the injury on the job? Was the injury the result of a Miami accident? If so, the attorneys at Lavent Law, P.A. may be able to help you recover compensation. Contact our Miami personal injury attorneys today to learn about the benefits of filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages. With our help, you can maximize the amount of money you get. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.