When Can a Shoulder Injury Be Considered Catastrophic?

A catastrophic injury is one that permanently changes the life of the victim. While most shoulder injuries simply result in substantial pain and discomfort, there are some types of shoulder injuries that are considered catastrophic. Victims of catastrophic shoulder injuries may have to change their way of life or even change careers in order to adjust to their new challenges.
One of the most common shoulder injuries is dislocation. This type of injury on its own is rarely considered serious, but it often comes with a number of complications. Medicinenet.com reports that about 25 percent of all shoulder dislocation injuries are associated with fractures of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. Other victims of shoulder dislocation injuries may sustain nerve damage that results in numbness and weakness of the muscles. Catastrophic shoulder dislocation injuries may involve a complete tearing of the axillary artery, which is the main artery that supplies blood to the arm.
A frozen shoulder, known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the shoulder joint loses its range of motion. Any type of injury to the shoulder can result in this debilitating injury. Victims typically recover from this condition through physical therapy, medications, ultrasound treatments and cortisone injections. There are circumstances, however, where the victim will never get back his or her full range of motion despite extensive rehabilitation treatments.
Other shoulder injuries that can become catastrophic include bursitis, hydroxyapatite crystal disease and polymyalgia rheumatica. Anyone who has suffered a serious shoulder injury would be well advised to seek medical attention and legal guidance. When the injury was caused by someone’s negligence, the at-fault party may be held liable for the damages suffered. Damages that may be awarded to victims of such injuries include, but are not limited to medical expenses, lost past, current and future wages and benefits, past and future pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
The reputable New York personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm know how to get shoulder injury victims the compensation they need. To discuss your legal options, please contact us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) today. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com