What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?
Soft tissue injury is damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons. Often, those injuries happen in accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls or during some physical activity. Soft tissue injuries cause pain and sometimes limited mobility.
Damage to the soft tissues may seem minor at first, however, it can lead to long-term health issues. People who got soft tissue injured with someone else’s negligence, often have grounds to file a personal injury claim to get compensation for medical costs or lost wages.
Common Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries
Some of the most frequent causes of soft tissue injuries in Florida are:
- Auto Accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Premises Liability Incidents
- Slip and falls
- Trip hazards
- Poor maintenance
- Workplace Accidents
- Lifting injuries
- Repetitive motion
- Equipment accidents
- Animal Attacks
- Dog bites
- Associated falls
- Defensive injuries
These accidents may cause such damage to soft tissues, that victims may need medical care and rehabilitation.
What Qualifies as a Soft Tissue Injury?
There are several types of soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, contusions, and tendinitis.
Sprains (Ligament Injuries)
- Definition: Stretching or tearing of ligaments (tissues connecting bones)
- Key Symptoms:
- Immediate pain and tenderness
- Swelling around the joint
- Bruising
- Limited joint movement
- Possible “popping” sound at the time of injury
- Common Example: A severe ankle sprain occurs when a customer steps into an unmarked hole in a store’s parking lot, causing the ankle to twist violently – a common premises liability case.
Strains (Muscle/Tendon Injuries)
- Definition: Damage to muscles or tendons
- Key Symptoms:
- Muscle pain and spasms
- Weakness in the affected muscle
- Swelling and inflammation
- Limited flexibility
- Cramping
- Common Strains Example: A neck and back strain typically results from whiplash in a rear-end collision, when the sudden impact forces the body forward while the head snaps backward.
Contusions (Bruising)
- Definition: Bruising from direct trauma
- Key Symptoms:
- Discoloration of skin
- Tenderness to touch
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Pain during movement
- Common Contusions Example: Deep muscle contusions often occur when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, causing severe bruising and internal soft tissue damage that may not be immediately apparent.
Tendinitis (Tendon Inflammation)
- Definition: Inflammation of tendons
- Key Symptoms:
- Dull aching pain
- Tenderness along the tendon
- Pain worsens with movement
- Morning stiffness
- Mild swelling
- Common Tendinitis Example: Workplace tendinitis develops when an office worker must perform repetitive motions in an improperly set up workstation, leading to a workers’ compensation claim.
What Are the Signs of Delayed Soft Tissue Injury After an Accident?
Soft tissue injuries often demonstrate delayed symptoms, which can appear 24-72 hours after an accident. While you might feel fine immediately after a car crash or slip and fall incident, other symptoms can develop gradually.
- Increasing pain
- Stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Weakness
- Numbness or tingling
This delayed onset, known as “delayed symptomatology,” can complicate personal injury claims in Miami, Florida. Insurance companies often use this delay to dispute the connection between the accident and your injuries. That’s why victims should seek medical attention immediately after any accident, even if they feel fine because doctors can document early signs of soft tissue damage that might worsen over time.
Diagnosing and Treating Soft Tissue Injuries
Proper diagnosis of a soft tissue injury often requires medical imaging. X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds are commonly used to assess the damage. These tests help your doctor diagnose the extent of the injury.
Treatment typically follows the R.I.C.E protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
- Rest: Limit movement of the injured area to allow healing.
- Ice: Apply ice packs to reduce swelling.
- Compression: Wrap the injured area to limit swelling.
- Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated to help reduce swelling.
In more severe cases, surgery or physical therapy may be needed. Surgery might be necessary to repair torn ligaments or muscles and physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility.
Filing a Claim for Injured Soft Tissue in Miami, Florida
As soft tissue injuries aren’t visible on X-rays, many victims face challenges when filing soft tissue injury claims. Insurance companies often try to minimize these claims, calling them “minor” or “subjective.” However, with proper documentation and personal injury attorneys, you can build a strong case.
To protect your claim, never minimize your symptoms, save all communication with insurance companies, and don’t accept the first soft tissue injury settlement offer.
The key to a successful soft tissue injury claim is thorough documentation from day one. Keep every medical record, take daily notes about your pain levels and photograph any visible symptoms.
Most importantly, an experienced personal injury attorney will protect you from insurance company tactics designed to minimize your claim. While you focus on recovery, our personal soft tissue injury lawyers will handle the legal complexities and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Much Is a Soft Tissue Injury Worth in Florida?
The value of soft tissue injury claims in Florida typically ranges from $10,000 to over $100,000, with an average settlement of around $30,000. Factors that significantly impact your settlement value include the severity of your injury, length of treatment, and long-term effects on your daily life.
For instance, a minor whiplash injury requiring 6-8 weeks of treatment might settle for $10,000-$15,000, while severe soft tissue damage causing chronic pain and disability could reach settlements of $100,000 or more.
Get Help With Your Soft Tissue Injury Claim in Florida
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, our experienced Florida personal injury lawyers understand how soft tissue injuries can disrupt your life. We’ll handle every aspect of your claim – from gathering medical evidence to negotiating with insurance companies – while you focus on recovery.
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our experienced personal injury lawyer will:
- Evaluate your case for free
- Document all your damages
- Handle all insurance communications
- Fight for maximum compensation
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your suffering. Contact our Florida soft tissue injury lawyers today at 305-371-2692 for your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your rights and legal options.