Chicago Soft Tissue Injury Lawyers

Accidents cause all types of injuries. Even the most minor harm is a concern when it should not have happened. That’s why it is a mistake to overlook soft tissue injuries such as bruises, muscle strains and sprains that are caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. These types of soft tissue injuries can require a long time to heal.

Time spent healing from a soft tissue injury may include time spent under medical care, followed by time away from work. This means incurring medical expenses and lost income in addition to the pain of a soft tissue injury. Those who suffer soft tissue injuries in an accident that was not their fault have reason to seek financial relief for their expenses and losses as well as for their pain and suffering.

If you have suffered a soft tissue injury in an accident, the Chicago soft tissue injury lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you. Call us today at 312-372-1227 or use our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Our personal injury attorneys represent clients throughout Illinois, including those in Chicago, Waukegan and surrounding communities in Cook and Lake counties.

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Common Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries of the ligaments, tendons and muscles are known as “soft tissue” injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) defines the most common soft-tissue injuries as: 

  • Sprain – Stretching or tearing a ligament
  • Strain – Stretching or tearing a muscle or tendon
  • Contusion – A bruise caused by a blow to muscles, tendons or ligaments
  • Tendonitis – Inflammation in a tendon or in the covering of a tendon caused by repeated stress
  • Bursitis – Swelling and irritation of the bursa (a sac filled with fluid that is located between a bone and a tendon or muscle) in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee or ankle
  • Stress injuries – Such as tiny breaks in a bone caused by stress through overuse.

Any of these can be the result of a single episode, such as a slip-and-fall accident, a sudden twist or a blow to the body in a car accident. They can also result from accumulated stress on the body caused by repeated overuse. Either way, the result can be damage and pain. Such injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments may require a prolonged amount of time to heal.

Soft Tissue Injuries at Work

Many workplace injuries are soft tissue injuries. The Liberty Mutual Insurance Company’s annual Workplace Safety Index identifies the top causes of serious non-fatal workplace injuries. The perennial first-place rank in the index belongs to “overexer­tion,” which includes injuries related to lifting, pushing, pulling, hold­ing, carrying or throwing.

The other most frequent serious non-fatal workplace injuries in the 2011 Workplace Safety Index are:

  • Fall on the same level or to a lower level
  • Bodily reaction to such motion as bending, climbing, reaching, standing, sitting, and slipping or tripping without falling
  • Struck by object such a falling tools or materials
  • Highway incident (car or truck accident)
  • Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects
  • Struck against object such as being slammed against a door
  • Repetitive motion injuries due to repeated stress or strain
  • Assault / violent act.

Again, because soft tissue injuries may be seen as relatively minor workplace injuries, workers who are used to tough job site environments sometimes overlook or shrug off a sprain or strain. This is a mistake.

Many of the same types of common workplace injuries listed above can occur at public places, like retail stores, apartment complexes and sports arenas. These include falls, objects falling on a person, or assaults and violent acts. Businesses, governmental agencies, schools and other organizations have a legal duty to create and maintain premises that are safe and free of hazards. This includes ensuring proper security against assault and other violence. 

Our Chicago Soft Tissue Injury Attorneys Can Help

If you suffer a soft tissue injury because of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, such as a motor vehicle accident or a slip-and-fall incident, or because of workplace conditions, an experienced Chicago soft tissue injury attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. may be able to help you. You may have a right to money to assist you with medical expenses and your loss of income while you recover. This may be in addition to workers’ compensation benefits available after an on-the-job injury.

In general, victims of soft tissue injuries caused by accidents can obtain funds to cover:

  • Medical bills
  • Hospital expenses
  • Rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Disfigurement
  • Future medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering.

Contact Our Chicago Soft Tissue Injury Lawyers Today

Proving negligence in a personal injury lawsuit based on a soft tissue injury can be complex. It takes an investment of time, experience and resources. An experienced Chicago soft tissue injury lawyer can provide these advantages. Protect yourself and your loved ones by contacting Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today. Call us at 312-372-1227 or complete our online contact form. We can schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case.