Soft tissue injuries are a common outcome of accidents, car crashes, slip and fall incidents, and other personal injury cases. These injuries may not always be visible to the naked eye but can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, and long-term health issues. You may be entitled to a claim if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. However, finding out the average payout for such injuries can be tricky as it depends on many factors such as the severity of the injury, medical bills, and lost wages.
In this blog, we’ll look at the average payout for soft tissue injuries, the factors that affect settlement amounts, and why you should consult with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.
What are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue injuries are a common outcome of personal injury accidents, especially in sudden-impact accidents like car accidents. Common soft tissue injuries in these accidents include whiplash, sprains, and ligament tears. These injuries affect the body’s softer structures like muscles, tendons, and ligaments and can range from mild discomfort to severe long-term pain. While less visible than fractures or wounds, soft tissue injuries can impact a person’s mobility and quality of life.
Types of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can be classified into several types depending on the tissue affected:
- Sprains: A sprain occurs when a ligament (the tissue that connects bones) is stretched or torn. This type of injury is common in joints like the ankle or wrist.
- Strains: Strains are the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons (the tissues that connect muscles to bones). Commonly affected areas are the lower back and hamstrings.
- Contusions (Bruises): These occur when a direct blow or impact causes blood vessels to rupture and bleed under the skin.
- Whiplash: A specific type of soft tissue injury that affects the neck, whiplash is caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head during a collision.
- Herniated Discs: When the soft tissue between the vertebrae in the spine is displaced, it can cause a lot of pain and mobility issues.
These types of injuries can result in significant soft tissue damage, affecting a person’s mobility and quality of life. Understanding these types of injuries is crucial for filing a successful soft tissue injury claim.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injury symptoms are not always visible and can develop over time, including swelling, bruising, stiffness, and ongoing pain in the affected area. In severe cases, soft tissue injuries can limit movement or cause chronic pain even with treatment. Since they can have delayed onset, it’s crucial for people involved in accidents to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Recognizing these symptoms early is essential for soft tissue injury claims to ensure proper documentation and treatment.
Treatment
Although soft tissue injuries may seem minor at first, untreated injuries can lead to complications like chronic pain, reduced mobility, and even long-term disability. Early diagnosis and treatment – whether through rest, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgery is key to minimizing the long-term effects of these injuries. Proper treatment and documentation are crucial in a soft tissue injury case to ensure fair compensation.
Factors Affecting Settlement Amounts
Settlement amounts for a soft tissue injury settlement can vary greatly. Each case is different, and the final payout is influenced by a combination of the injury’s severity, medical expenses, loss of income, pain, and suffering. Understanding these factors explains why settlements can range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Severity of the Injury
The more severe the soft tissue damage, the higher the settlement. Minor sprains and strains that heal quickly result in lower payouts, severe soft tissue injuries like torn ligaments or herniated discs that require surgery, and long-term recovery get larger settlements. Injuries that cause permanent damage or chronic pain get a much higher settlement.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are a big factor in determining a soft tissue injury settlement. These include doctor visits, physical therapy, prescription medication, and any surgery. The more extensive and longer the treatment, the higher the medical expenses and therefore the settlement. Future medical needs like ongoing rehabilitation or follow-up surgery are often included in the settlement calculation.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If a soft tissue injury forces the victim to miss work, either temporarily or permanently, they may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim for lost wages. This can also include reduced earning capacity if the injury prevents them from going back to their previous job or reduces their ability to work in the same capacity as before. If the injury results in long-term disability, the settlement amount can increase to reflect the lifetime financial impact.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering include both physical pain and emotional distress caused by soft tissue injury symptoms. This factor is harder to quantify but is key to the settlement. In severe cases, pain and suffering can include chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Although subjective, pain and suffering can increase the overall settlement value if supported by medical and psychological documentation.
Evidence
The strength of the evidence supporting the soft tissue injury case is critical to the final settlement. Medical documentation, consistent treatment records, and proof of the injury’s impact on daily life are important. Personal injury attorneys often advise keeping a record of symptoms, medical visits, and recovery progress to support the claim. The more concrete the evidence, the better the chance of getting a higher settlement. A personal injury attorney can help gather and present the necessary evidence to support your claim.
Negotiation and Legal Representation
The negotiation process is also a factor in the final soft tissue injury settlements. Insurance companies often start with low offers, especially for soft tissue injuries that are harder to prove. Good legal representation is key to getting a fair settlement. Attorneys who specialize in personal injury law can negotiate with insurance companies, and present a strong case based on medical records, expert opinions, and legal precedent. This is the difference between a low settlement and one that fully compensates for the injury.
Average Payouts For Soft Tissue Injuries
The average settlement for a soft tissue injury settlement can vary greatly depending on the injury and the circumstances of the case. Settlements can be a few thousand to six figures depending on the severity of the injury, medical expenses, and lost wages. No two cases are the same, but knowing the general settlement ranges will give you a better idea of what to expect.
Minor Injuries
For minor soft tissue injury symptoms such as mild sprains, strains, or bruises, the average settlement is on the lower end of the scale. These injuries usually resolve within a few weeks and don’t require extensive medical treatment. Settlements for minor soft tissue injuries are usually between $2,500 and $10,000 for medical expenses and brief lost time off work.
Settlement Range for Moderate Injuries
Moderate soft tissue injuries, such as more severe strains or whiplash, will have a longer recovery period and may require physical therapy or multiple doctor visits. These injuries can also impact the victim’s ability to work for an extended period. Settlements in these cases can be between $10,000 and $50,000 for ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and potential pain and suffering.
Settlement Range for Severe Injuries
Severe soft tissue injuries, such as torn ligaments, herniated discs, or injuries that require surgery, will have much higher settlements. These injuries will have long-term or permanent damage, ongoing medical needs, and extended recovery time. Victims with severe soft tissue injuries can get settlements from $50,000 to $200,000 or more depending on the impact on their ability to work and quality of life.
Consult With an Experienced Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
If you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury and are seeking fair compensation, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Our team at Buddoo & Associates is here to help. With years of experience in personal injury law, we will fight to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve.
Contact us at 404-870-3557 for a free case consultation today!
