Dealing with a shoulder injury is never easy, especially after a traumatic accident in San Francisco. Unlike some injuries that can heal relatively quickly with rest and treatment, shoulder injuries present unique challenges. The shoulder joint is complex and important for everyday movements, so even a small injury can really affect your life.

Furthermore, it’s hard to completely stop the shoulder from moving, which makes healing take longer. This means you might have to pay a lot of money for medical care and other things. It’s important to know what choices you have and get help when you need it.

Traumatic Injury Victims in San Francisco Can Count on MJQ Law

At The Law Offices Of Matthew J. Quinlan, our team of dedicated and experienced San Francisco traumatic injury lawyers is here to assist you in the challenging process of recovering from a shoulder injury or any other damage after an unfortunate incident.

No matter what caused the accident that injured you, our team will provide support by informing you about your legal options and guiding you on the necessary steps for moving forward. To get started with a free consultation, contact us today.

What Are Common Ways Shoulder Injuries Happen in San Francisco?

One of the reasons shoulder injuries are so common in accidents across San Francisco is that they can occur in a variety of different ways. The nature of most shoulder injuries involves either a break of the bone or a dislocation of the joint, which usually happens when there is direct impact or other forces that occur across many of these incidents. Some of the most common ways these occur include:

• Car accidents – When cars crash or stop suddenly, it can hurt your shoulder. The impact can force your shoulder to move in a bad way, causing injuries like dislocations, fractures, or damage to the soft tissues.
• Slip and falls – If you slip on something wet or trip on uneven ground, you might try to catch yourself by reaching out with your arm. This can hurt your shoulder and cause an injury.
• Sports injuries – Playing sports, whether for fun or competition, can strain your shoulder and make injuries more likely. Sports like football, basketball, tennis, and swimming, where you move your shoulder a lot or get hit directly on the shoulder, can cause injuries like tears in the rotator cuff, strains, or sprains.
• Workplace accidents – Some jobs, like construction or manual labor, involve tasks that can hurt your shoulder. Lifting heavy things, doing repetitive motions with your arms overhead, or sudden impacts can lead to shoulder injuries at work.
• Assaults or fights – If someone hurts you on purpose or you get into a fight, they might hit your shoulder directly or cause trauma to that area. This can result in fractures, dislocations, or tears in the muscles.

Remember, these are just a few examples of ways that a shoulder injury can happen. If you hurt your shoulder, it’s important to see a doctor and talk to a legal expert who can help you understand what you can do for compensation.

Types of Shoulder Injuries After Accidents in San Francisco

Although the shoulder is relatively simple in terms of its function and the parts that allow it to work, there are actually a number of different types of injuries that can occur during an incident. Moreover, these injuries can vary widely in terms of severity and potential complications. Here is a look at some of the more common types of shoulder injuries that can occur to you or someone else in San Francisco:

• Rotator cuff and muscle tears – When the muscles and tendons that keep the shoulder stable tear, it’s called a rotator cuff tear. This can happen from repetitive movements, using the shoulder too much, or sudden injuries. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and trouble moving the shoulder.
• Shoulder dislocations – A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone comes out of its socket in the shoulder. It can happen from falling or getting injured while playing sports. Dislocations cause immediate pain, swelling, and make it hard to move the arm.
• Shoulder impingements – Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons in the shoulder get irritated or inflamed, often from doing lots of overhead movements. It causes pain, weakness, and difficulty lifting the arm.
• Shoulder sprains and strains – Sprains happen when the ligaments in the shoulder get stretched or torn, while strains are injuries to the muscles or tendons. They can happen from sudden movements, doing too much, or getting hurt. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and limited ability to move.
• “Frozen” shoulders – Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is when the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful. It happens gradually and restricts movement.
• Shoulder inflammation – Shoulder bursitis is when the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint become inflamed. It can occur from repetitive movements or direct injury. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
• Shoulder fractures – Shoulder fractures can happen in the collarbone, upper arm bone, or shoulder blade. They occur from falling, accidents, or sports injuries and cause severe pain, swelling, and a change in the shoulder’s shape.

While shoulder injuries are common, they also vary from person to person. Not only do the type and severity differ, but so to does the person’s response and treatment options. Thus, understanding the challenges that can be associated with these types of injuries is important to know what to do should you suffer one.

Challenges With Shoulder Injuries After a San Francisco Accident

There are a number of challenges that come with a shoulder injury. Not only are these challenges physical, but also mental and financial. If you have suffered a shoulder injury, you can expect to encounter the following physical challenges:

• Pain and discomfort – Shoulder injuries often cause significant pain and discomfort, which can impact daily activities and quality of life. Simple tasks like lifting objects, reaching overhead, or even sleeping can become difficult and painful.
• Limited range of motion – Shoulder injuries can restrict the range of motion in the affected shoulder, making it challenging to perform everyday tasks or engage in physical activities. This limitation can have a significant impact on a person’s independence and overall well-being.
• Healing time and recovery – Depending on the severity of the injury, shoulder injuries may take a considerable amount of time to heal. Recovery can involve physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and rest, which can be a lengthy and challenging process.

Financial and Legal Challenges

Like any injury that’s caused by someone else’s negligence, California law allows you to handle the financial and legal challenges that accompany shoulder injuries by filing a claim for damages.

Navigating the legal process to seek compensation for these damages can be challenging in an of itself. It may involve dealing with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and understanding legal procedures. That’s where our team comes in. We can help you figure out who is responsible and how you can go about getting full and fair treatment under the law. In general, you can recover the following in a claim:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship
• Punitive damages, in certain cases

Even with these challenges, our team of experienced and skilled San Francisco traumatic injury lawyers can support you throughout the entire recovery process, helping to assess the strength of your case and making sure you’re able to get the compensation you deserve.

Free Consultations For San Francisco Accident Victims

If you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident in San Francisco, it’s important to act quickly and seek legal assistance. Dealing with the aftermath of a shoulder injury can be overwhelming, but having our experienced traumatic injury lawyers on your side is crucial to protect your rights and seeking fair compensation.

At The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan, we have a strong record of successfully representing clients in personal injury cases. Our team will diligently investigate your accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case for you. Take the first step in your recovery by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.