Louisiana Personal Injury Accidents: Can I Recover for Soft Tissue Injuries?
Louisiana Personal Injury Accidents: Can I Recover for Soft Tissue Injuries?
Yes. People injured in Louisiana automobile accidents and other types of accidents are entitled to seek compensation for ALL types of injuries, including what are commonly called “soft tissue” injuries. Many mistakenly believe that “soft tissue” injuries are not “real” injuries or that such injuries are not compensable. This is a myth. Soft tissue injuries can be severe and debilitating. These types of injuries are called “soft” because they involve injuries, trauma, and damage to “soft” tissue like muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The Louisiana personal injury attorneys at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick help our clients recover the compensation to which they are entitled when they suffer any sort of injury because of another person’s negligence. Some of the most common types of soft tissue injuries include:
- Rotator cuff injury and/or damage
- Tearing or breaking of the anterior cruciate ligaments in the knees — common in Louisiana automobile accidents but happens in other types of accidents, too, like slip and fall accidents.
- Muscle damage to the neck, back and shoulder caused by whiplash, which is common in Louisiana automobile accidents, even so-called “fender bender” accidents.
Symptoms of soft tissue trauma include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Sprains
- Bruising
- Loss of function
- Limitations in range of motion
- And more
Soft tissue injuries do not always manifest immediately after a Louisiana personal injury accident. Consequently, we here at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick always recommend that victims of Louisiana accidents seek medical care and attention. This is our advice, even if you do not feel pain or stiffness immediately. Physicians can identify signs and symptoms of hidden soft tissue trauma. For example, certain types of soft tissue trauma will not appear on x-rays. But trained medical professionals can often diagnose and document hidden injuries.
In Louisiana, all types of personal injury are governed by the Law of Negligence. Victims of another person’s negligence (or a company’s negligence) can recover just, full, and fair compensation by proving four legal elements — duty, breach, causation, and injury. As noted above, a soft tissue injury IS an injury for which an insurance claim can be made or for which money damages can be recovered in a Louisiana personal injury lawsuit. Seeking medical care is one method of documenting the injury. Such documentation is essential proof for an insurance claim or a Louisiana personal injury lawsuit. Another way to document a soft tissue injury is to keep a personal diary wherein the victim lists the various pains, swellings, bruising, and limitations on motion that often accompany a soft tissue injury. Victims of soft tissue injuries should also take photographic and video evidence of their injuries. As noted, evidence will be needed and these are the types of evidence that will demonstrate the injuries and provide compelling details.
It is important to act quickly. Do not wait too long before contacting experienced and proven Louisiana personal injury attorneys. Retaining good personal injury lawyers raises your chances of recovering ALL of the compensation to which you are entitled from the insurance company or from a personal injury lawsuit.
Our Attorneys Can Help
For more information, contact the Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick LLC. We have a proven track record of success handling many types of Louisiana personal injury cases, including car accidents, boating accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability accidents, and cases involving nursing care facility abuse/neglect. Contact us by calling one of our offices: New Orleans at (504) 500-1108, Baton Rouge at (225) 612-0800, or Lafayette at (337) 409-0003. You can also request a free consultation by using our “Contact Us” page.
