Soft-Tissue Injury Lawyer in Raleigh, NC
Soft-tissue injuries are a serious consequence of many accidents. A torn tendon or ligament in the leg or back can limit a person’s mobility for months and require surgery to repair. The cost of a soft-tissue injury can be substantial, especially for people who are unable to work due to the injuries.
If you suffered a soft-tissue injury in a car accident that was caused by someone else, you shouldn’t be left to pay for its consequences out of your own pocket. The Raleigh soft-tissue injury lawyers at Hardison & Cochran have more than 30 years of personal injury experience. Our personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of North Carolinians seek the money they need to cover their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Our commitment to advocating for people in need of help is how we expanded from a small office in Dunn to seven offices across the state. We continue to put our clients and their needs first. That’s why we won’t charge you any legal fees unless we recover compensation for your injuries.
Want to learn more about how we can help you during this difficult time? Contact Hardison & Cochran today for a free consultation with a soft-tissue injury attorney in Raleigh.
What Is a Soft-Tissue Injury?
The body’s soft tissue includes skin, underlying muscles, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels. A soft-tissue injury is an injury that affects these parts of the body, such as a laceration of the skin, a torn muscle, or a burst blood vessel.
Types of Soft-Tissue Injuries
There are many kinds of soft-tissue injuries, such as:
- Contusions – Contusion is the medical term for a bruise. Contusions are caused by blood seeping out of the vessels. A mild contusion will likely heal quickly without the need for extensive medical treatment. Severe contusions can cause permanent injuries to damaged tissues.
- Lacerations – A laceration refers to a tear that breaks the skin. It may affect only the outer layer or extend to underlying tissues. Some lacerations can be treated with bandages and other first aid. More serious lacerations may require surgery and can lead to secondary medical complications such as infections.
- Strains and sprains – A strain is a tear in the muscles or tendons. Tendons attach bones to muscles but may be torn if overextended. A sprain is similar but affects the ligaments, which connect bones to each other. Both strains and sprains can be quite painful and significantly affect movement. In some cases, a severe sprain or strain can have permanent effects.
- Tendonitis – If one of the tendons becomes inflamed due to overuse or injury, it may develop into a condition known as tendonitis. Tendonitis can make it difficult to move the affected body part, which can limit one’s ability to take part in certain activities and hamper the quality of life.
- Bursitis – Fluid-filled sacs called bursas provide a cushion where bones meet and between bones and muscles or tendons. Overuse or direct trauma to a joint can lead to a condition called bursitis, which is when the bursa becomes inflamed.
- Burns – Burns can cause massive soft-tissue damage to the skin, muscles, and other soft tissues, leading to permanent scarring, loss of functions of body parts, and the chance of bacterial infection.
- Road rash – Road rash is a type of soft-tissue injury that is generally associated with motor vehicle accidents. It occurs when someone is either hit by a moving vehicle or thrown from a vehicle such as a motorcycle onto the road surface. In some cases, road rash may extend to underlying tissues.
Causes of Soft-Tissue Injuries
There are four main causes of soft-tissue injuries:
- Falls – A hard fall can lead to contusions or other trauma-related injuries at the point of impact. The pressure from a fall may cause a sprain or strain near the affected area.
- Twisting/overextension – Rotational tension can cause sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries. This may be caused by sudden trauma or repetitive motions over time.
- Blunt force – The blunt force from a motor vehicle accident or another hard impact can cause lacerations, strains, sprains, and other soft-tissue injuries.
- Overuse/repetitive motion – Many soft-tissue injuries, particularly those related to work activities, are the result of repetitive motion. Over time, the cumulative stress from certain activities can damage the soft tissues and cause an injury.
Soft-Tissue Injury Treatment and Recovery
Treatment for a soft-tissue injury depends on the severity of the injury and the affected body part. A minor soft-tissue injury will likely heal with rest, over-the-counter pain medication, and heat or cold therapy. More severe soft-tissue injuries may require physical therapy or surgery.
Compensation for Soft-Tissue Injuries
A soft-tissue injury can have severe physical, financial, and emotional effects. A Raleigh soft-tissue injury attorney at Hardison & Cochran can help you seek compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property
One important thing to understand is that North Carolina bars accident victims from pursuing compensation if they are in any way responsible for their injuries. You need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows how to demonstrate that you were not at fault and that someone else’s negligence caused your soft tissue injury.
Another reason to work with an attorney is that the state’s statute of limitations on personal injury actions gives you three years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. Strong cases take time to build. Evidence can be lost if you wait too long to pursue a claim Make sure you talk to a soft-tissue injury attorney as soon as you can after the accident.
Get in Touch with a Raleigh Soft-Tissue Injury Lawyer
If someone else caused your soft-tissue injury, you have the right to demand compensation. Let Hardison & Cochran seek the compensation and the justice you need. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to all potential clients. It won’t cost you anything to discuss your case with an experienced Raleigh soft-tissue injury lawyer and get a clear understanding of your legal options and the appropriate steps to move forward.
