Can I Sue for Post-Traumatic Arthritis after an Accident?

Yes, you may have the right to sue for post-traumatic arthritis if you developed the condition after being injured in an accident. To go ahead with a lawsuit, you must show that another party caused the accident via negligence or malicious conduct. As a result, you suffered financial losses and psychological damage, which merits compensation from the party that harmed you.

Even injuries that are relatively minor can cause PTA, which is why on-going medical care is so important after an accident. If you are diagnosed with post-traumatic arthritis, your life will be negatively impacted by chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms. A lawyer that specializes in post-traumatic arthritis can help you recover the maximum amount you deserve if you got hurt in accident due to someone else’s careless or reckless conduct.

What is Post-Traumatic Arthritis (PTA)?

You may be familiar with arthritis if you have an elderly family member who is struggling with joint pain and inflammation. The most common type of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis, which is a joint condition that happens slowly over a long period of time. Basically, the cartilage that serves as a cushion between the bones and joints wears out and causes damage to the bone and surrounding tissue.

PTA is a different type of arthritis that is not caused by wear and tear. Instead, the condition happens after a sudden trauma, typically an accident or sports injury. A common example has to do with fall accidents that cause you to fracture a bone or tear a ligament. Soon afterwards, you start to notice that symptoms in the area, like constant pain, stiffness, and inflammation. These are classic indicators of post-traumatic arthritis brought on by an injury.

In some cases, the symptoms will go away after a few months. However, other patients will continue to feel pain and discomfort in the area, and eventually, limited range of motion. When the symptoms last for more than 6 months, you have a case of chronic post-traumatic arthritis. This is a debilitating, long-term condition that can lead to atrophied muscles, reduced range of motion, and difficulty with daily tasks.

Accidents That May Result in Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Generally, people view arthritis as a condition that develops slowly, and this is true in most patients. The vast majority of people that have arthritis are middle aged or elderly, and there is considerable wear and tear on the joints. With PTA, however, the condition develops soon after an injury. Possible incidents where an injury can result in post-traumatic arthritis include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, like car crashes
• Accidents at work
• Slip and fall or trip and fall
• Injured playing sports

Victims of car crashes have the highest chance of ending up with PTA, as the rate of fractures and soft tissue injuries (damage to tendons, ligaments and muscles) is very high with these accidents. Neck injuries, like whiplash, can also cause post-traumatic arthritis.

Our attorneys can talk to you about the option of filing a personal injury claim, no matter what type of accident you had. This is the best way to protect yourself from financial hardship and ensure that you receive the best quality medical care after a serious accident.

Treatments for Post-Traumatic Arthritis

If you have PTA that is mild to moderate, limiting certain activities and exercising may be sufficient. Until the injury is fully healed, you may be asked to wear a joint brace. If you are overweight, shedding the pounds can help, since joint inflammation only increases with added weight. Aside from changes with your diet, walking, swimming, and other low impact exercises are highly recommended.

If you have a serious case of post-traumatic arthritis, long-term physical therapy may be necessary. If the pain and mobility issued persist, surgery may be needed to remove damaged tissue and reshape the bone. In some cases, a total joint replacement may be the best course of action.

Help from Post-Traumatic Arthritis Injury Lawyer

With medical bills piling up after an accident along with other expenses, resolving a claim and getting the funds you deserve is a top priority. It goes without saying that insurance companies place their profits over injury victims, and that means doing whatever they can to reduce your settlement amount.

The lawyers of Kenmore are here to protect you from the tactics used by insurance adjusters. We have the skills and experience to counter any arguments from the insurance company, like saying that you caused the accident, your injuries were from another event, or the symptoms you have are exaggerated.

Our legal team works hand in hand with medical and accident scene investigation experts. We have the resources to build a solid case against the negligent party and how your life was affected as a result. You can count on us to obtain payments for long-term damage to your body and mind, including health complications like post-traumatic arthritis.

At the end of the day, we believe in fighting zealously for what is rightfully yours and ensuring that the guilty party does not go unpunished. Whether you were injured in a car accident or fell down on a wet floor, we will fight to secure maximum payment for:

• Cost of medical expenses, including future medical care
• Lost income, such as wages and job benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage to your vehicle and other possessions

No Cost Legal Services

Were you or someone in your family injured by someone else’s negligence of misconduct? Contact Kenmore Law Group today and talk to a lawyer who can help you file a claim for monetary damages.

When you become a client of Kenmore Law Group, you receive the Zero Fee Guarantee, which protects your finances from day one. We promise that you will never pay a retainer or attorney’s fees on an hourly basis. If we succeed in bringing you compensation, a portion of the funds will go towards the cost of representing you. Otherwise, you pay us nothing, as we don’t believe in getting paid unless you do.

Please take this opportunity to learn about your rights and legal options. We look forward to guiding you on the journey to recovery, one step at a time.