Yes, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit if you developed post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) after a car accident. By taking legal action, you can obtain medical expenses, lost income, and other forms of financial restitution.
Even a relatively minor accident can result PTA and other health complications. Patients with post-traumatic arthritis are left with chronic pain and stiffness, to the point where surgery is the only option. A post-traumatic arthritis injury lawyer can help you get the necessary care and keep you from sinking into debt over an accident that was not your fault.
What is Post-Traumatic Arthritis?
Most people with arthritis have osteoarthritis, which develops in the joints over an extended period of time. The condition is generally due to wear and tear in the cartilage that cushions the end of the bones, resulting in damage to the bones and underlying tissue.
Post-traumatic arthritis does not have a slow progression, and the cause involves sudden trauma after a fall, car crash, or some other accident. For example, you sustain a ligament tear or bone fracture from a slip and fall. Soon after, you start to have inflammation, joint pain, stiffness, and other symptoms that indicate post-traumatic arthritis. Overall, we would say that broken bones and dislocated joints are the most common sources of PTA.
For many patients, the symptoms of PTA usually subside within a few months after the injury heals, according to the National Library of Medicine. But others are not so lucky, and they continue to experience joint problems month after month. If you are experiencing symptoms for over 6 months, you have what is known as chronic post-traumatic arthritis. As a result, you may struggle with reduced range of motion, muscle atrophy, and difficulty preforming your job duties.
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Accidents That Cause Post-Traumatic Arthritis
As a general rule, arthritis is a progressive condition that develops slowly, which is why most patients are elderly and suffering due to wear and tear on their joints. This is not the case with PTA, which happens relatively fast after a physically traumatic event. Accidents that can cause the development of PTA from an injury include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Fall accidents (slip and fall or trip and fall)
- Workplace accidents
- Sports injuries
Car crash victims are especially prone to post-traumatic arthritis after an accident. This is due to the fact that auto accidents often result in bone fractures and soft tissue injuries (tearing of ligaments, muscles, and tendons). Whiplash (the head snapping back and forth) is another injury that can cause you to develop post-traumatic arthritis.
A personal injury claim is meant to cover monetary losses and compensation for the victim’s physical and emotional suffering. A Los Angeles car accident lawyer can fight to get you the highest settlement after an accident that resulted in post-traumatic arthritis.
Treating Post-Traumatic Arthritis
In cases that are mild to moderate, daily exercise and avoiding certain activities for a while may be enough to cope with the effects of PTA. Your doctor may have you wear a joint brace during this time until the injury is completely healed. Shedding excess pounds can help as well, since added weight on the bones with inflammation will only increase your pain and other symptoms. Along with a healthy diet, low-impact exercises like walking and swimming are highly recommended
Victims with a serious case of PTA may need physical therapy on a long-term basis to restore the range of motion in the affected area. If the patient continues to have pain, restricted mobility, etc., they may need to have surgery to readjust the bone and remove the damaged tissue. In the most extreme cases, the doctor will perform a total joint replacement.
How Can a Post-Traumatic Arthritis Injury Lawyer Help Me?
With the onslaught of medical bills after an accident, getting paid from an insurance claim is your top priority. But these companies want to protect their profits, and that means limiting what you can receive from a claim for post-traumatic arthritis and other injuries.
A personal injury attorney can protect you from stall tactics and other games by insurance companies. We can also present evidence to counter arguments from insurance adjusters, like blaming you for the accident, claiming that the injury is from another event, or downplaying the severity of your symptoms.
Our law firm works with highly experienced experts in medicine and accident investigations. We can build a case to prove who is truly responsible for an accident and the harm you suffered as a result of their negligence. This includes long-term complications like post-traumatic arthritis and the hardships you face will face.
Ultimately, our goal is to secure the payments you rightfully deserve and prevent the insurance company from exploiting your weakness after a serious accident. We aim to get you more than the immediate cost of hospital bills and damage to your car. With decades of experience in all personal injury claims, you can count on us to fight for:
- Current and future medical treatments / services
- Lost wages and other incomes sources, like job benefits and earnings from a business
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Money to repair or replace your vehicle
Contact a California Car Accident Injury Lawyer
If you or someone in your family was injured by a careless driver, reach out to the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible. We are ready to answer your questions and help you figure out the best way to move forward.
As one of our clients, you are protected by the Zero Fee Guarantee from the moment you contact us. You do not pay us a single penny out of pocket. Instead, we work on contingency and only get paid by winning your case. That means you walk away debt-free if the case is not resolved in your favor.
Let us guide you through the legal process one step at a time. Contact Normandie Law Firm today and schedule a free case review.
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