Houston Shoulder Injury Lawyer
A shoulder injury can happen anywhere and under any number of circumstances. Sometimes, they result from accidents on the ballfield, overuse at work, or overexertion from lifting something heavy. Other times, they result from falls on unsafe premises or as the result of car accidents.
If you suffered a shoulder injury that someone else is at fault for, the Houston-area attorneys with Fleming Law can help you demand the compensation they owe you. We’ve served clients throughout Harris County for the last 30 years, and our team has over a century of combined legal experience to put at your disposal. Contact our Houston office for a free consultation with a shoulder injury attorney in Houston, TX.
What Are Different Kinds of Shoulder Injuries?
A shoulder injury can affect bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, or a combination of different parts. Some common shoulder injuries include the following:
- Torn rotator cuff – This is the most common shoulder injury, affecting muscles and tendons surrounding the joint.
- Dislocation – A shoulder is dislocated when the arm bone separates from the shoulder blade.
- Separation – A separated shoulder occurs when the collarbone and shoulder blade ligaments tear.
- Fractures – Broken bones in the shoulder can involve the clavicle, scapula, or upper arm.
- Overuse injuries – Conditions like tendinitis, bursitis, tendinopathy, and impingement syndrome can result from overusing the shoulders. They’re common in athletes and those who work with their hands.
- Nerve injuries – A pinched, stretched, or torn nerve can affect your shoulder, arm, and hand function.
What Are Some Common Symptoms of a Shoulder Injury?
The sooner you recognize the signs of a shoulder injury, the better outcome you’ll likely have. Talk to your general doctor or orthopedist if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Shoulder pain that doesn’t stop
- Limited ability to move the shoulder
- Persistent “clicking” or “popping” you can feel or hear
- Weak muscles
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Tingling
What Medical Procedures Are Used to Diagnose a Shoulder Injury?
To diagnose a shoulder injury, your doctor or orthopedist will start with a health history and physical. They’ll ask you how the injury happened and how your lifestyle has changed afterward. From there, they will use any of the following procedures and techniques:
- Orthopedic exam – Your doctor will guide you through different exercises to assess your strength and range of motion.
- X-rays – Images taken using X-rays allow your doctor to see the bones and joints of the shoulder. While they can help your doctor rule out fractures and dislocations, they won’t show injuries to muscles, tendons, or soft tissue.
- Ultrasound – This technique uses sound waves, rather than radiation, to show muscles and soft tissue. Your doctor can use a compact scanner to take ultrasounds in the exam room.
- CT scans – A CT scan is essentially a 3D X-ray. Your doctor can use contrast or unique angles to see any part of your shoulder in great detail.
- MRI – MRI scanners use a strong magnet to take pictures of nerves and soft tissue. Your doctor can also use them to visualize minor tears in cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
What Are the Top Causes of Shoulder Injuries?
Some of the most common causes of shoulder injuries include:
- Overexertion
- Sport accidents
- Repetitive strain
- Car crashes
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Bike and motorcycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
How Are Shoulder Injuries Treated?
Your doctor will consider your test results to recommend an effective and convenient treatment plan. Mild tears often heal by themselves with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. More severe injuries will need extra help from the following treatment plans:
- Physical therapy – A physical therapist can help rebuild strength and improve range of motion using evidence-based exercises.
- Occupational therapy – An occupational therapist can teach shoulder injury patients how to live, work, and enjoy their hobbies again using exercises and lifestyle modifications.
- Arthroscopy – In arthroscopy, an orthopedic surgeon threads tiny instruments through a special camera to repair shoulder problems. The procedure is minimally invasive, with only a keyhole-sized incision required.
- Pain management – The treating doctor might prescribe medications or give steroid injections to help relieve shoulder pain in addition to or instead of treating the underlying injury.
- Open surgery – While orthopedic surgeons can now treat many severe shoulder injuries using arthroscopy, others will still require open surgery or even a joint replacement.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Shoulder Injury?
Who you can hold liable depends on the nature of the accident and the facts of the case. For example:
- A negligent driver could be responsible if a car crash caused your shoulder injury.
- An employer could be liable if the injury happened on the job.
- A business owner could be liable if they kept unsafe conditions, leading to a shoulder injury.
- A truck driver, trucking company, or shipper could be held liable for contributing to a truck accident and shoulder injury.
Liability is not always clear-cut, and sometimes it can rest with more than one party. By identifying everyone responsible for your shoulder injury, we can pursue the fairest compensation for you.
Can I Receive Compensation for My Injuries?
Compensation after a successful personal injury trial could include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced future income
- Pain and suffering
As our team investigates what happened, we’ll calculate how much compensation we can pursue based on your bills, pay stubs, and receipts. We’ll also consult with medical and occupational experts to account for the true cost of your shoulder injury.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing My Shoulder Injury Claim?
Shoulder injury lawsuits must be filed within a time period set by the statute of limitations. Under Texas law, the latest you can file is two years from the accident date. The court will dismiss cases filed after the period ends.
In our experience, building a solid case takes time. The earlier we can start investigating your injury, preparing a lawsuit, and dealing with insurance companies, the stronger the case we can build on your behalf.
Contact a Houston Shoulder Injury Lawyer
If you suffered a shoulder injury in an accident in Houston, the Fleming Law team has the skills and resources to protect your legal rights. We are community leaders who take a direct approach to each case we build. We’re here to fight for the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Contact us today for a free case review with a shoulder injury attorney in Houston.
