Sacramento Shoulder Dislocation Lawyer

A dislocated shoulder represents approximately half of all cases involving major dislocations of the joints. The joint that is most often dislocated in the body is the shoulder joint, as it is unstable in nature because of the glenoid that is shallow and only articulates with a small portion of the humeral head. While most shoulder dislocations occur anteriorly, they may also dislocate partially or completely and anterior-superiorly, inferiorly, and posteriorly. A dislocation of the shoulder may be complicated in situations where there is a tear or stretching of the fibrous tissue that brings the bones together. Some of the common sources of shoulder dislocation cases may include slip and fall accidents, contact sports injuries, extreme rotation, and trauma from traffic collisions.

Suffering a shoulder dislocation in an accident may result in extensive medical treatment and time missed at work for recovery. If the incident was the result of someone else’s negligence, call our personal injury lawyers today for free, friendly case advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

At our law firm, we have been handling personal injury cases in California arising from many different types of accidents since 1982. We are focused on helping our clients obtain the justice and compensation they need and deserve to move forward with their lives after suffering traumatic injuries caused by the negligence of others. We do this by getting to know our clients, learning about their goals, and listening to their stories to understand how accident-related injuries have impacted their lives. When you have suffered an injury such as a dislocated shoulder in a crash, please contact our legal team to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced and dedicated attorneys to receive free, friendly case advice.

The symptoms of a shoulder that has been dislocated may include:

• Bruising or swelling in the affected area
• Loss of the ability to move the injured shoulder joint
• Pain in the shoulder and upper arm that may worsen with movement
• Weakness and numbness in the affected shoulder joint
• Visible deformity of the injured shoulder joint

Since the symptoms of a shoulder dislocation may be comparable to other health problems or conditions, it is essential to seek immediate medical treatment for a clinical diagnosis.

A physician will evaluate the affected area of the shoulder for deformity, swelling, or tenderness during a physical exam. The doctor may also order an X-ray of the shoulder that may reveal the dislocation. It may also show shoulder fractures or other trauma to the shoulder joint.

Some of the types of dislocated shoulder cases may include:

• Anterior Dislocation: Approximately 97 percent of all shoulder dislocation cases involve an anterior dislocation. The mechanism of injury is generally blunt force and often occurs when the arm is extended. In 40 percent of anterior dislocation cases, there are associated injuries that may include bone fractures and tears related to the humeral head, glenoid fossa, or the labrum. Nerve damage was also noted as an injury associated with an anterior dislocation.
• Inferior Dislocation: The most uncommon type of dislocated shoulder cases are inferior dislocations, as they represent less than one percent of all cases. The injury is often caused by axial loading or sudden forceful hyperabduction on an abducted arm. Case studies have reported that inferior dislocations have a higher frequency in the male population than in the female population, with a ratio of roughly 10:1.
• Posterior Dislocation: Approximately two to four percent of dislocated shoulder cases involve posterior dislocations. This type of injury usually occurs when the arm is abducted and the humeral head is impacted posteriorly in internal rotation. Conversely, the injury may also occur because of a violent muscle contraction such as electrocution or seizure.

An initial encounter may include a physician applying a sling or a special splint for up to three weeks to prevent shoulder movement. The duration of sling or splint use will depend on the severity of the dislocated shoulder and how soon it was applied after the injury. A physician may also prescribe a muscle relaxant for pain management as the shoulder heals. Once the sling or splint has been removed, a patient with a shoulder dislocation will start a rehabilitation program with exercises designed to restore stability, strength, and range of motion to the affected shoulder joint.

Surgical intervention is generally reserved for a patient who experiences recurring shoulder dislocations despite undergoing rehabilitation and performing proper strength exercises. It may also be considered in cases of a weak shoulder joint or where there is damage to the nerves or blood vessels. A surgeon may perform closed reduction to place the shoulder bones back into their proper alignments. In some rare cases, a general anesthetic may be administered before a surgeon manipulates the bones of the shoulder. Once this has been accomplished, the severe pain experienced by the patient should improve right away.

The complications of a dislocation of the shoulder may include:

• Damage to blood vessels or nerves surrounding the shoulder joint
• Tearing of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are integral to the reinforcement of the shoulder joint
• Instability of the shoulder, particularly if the patient has a history of repeated dislocations or a severely dislocated shoulder, both of which may make the patient more susceptible to reinjury

Surgical intervention for tissue repair may be necessary in cases involving blood vessel or nerve damage. It may also be considered in cases of reported tearing or stretching of the tendons or ligaments in the shoulder.

Despite following safety protocol, you may find yourself in an accident resulting in a traumatic injury such as a shoulder dislocation. When the incident occurred because of another individual or entity’s negligence, a bodily injury claim may be filed against that party for resulting losses.

Compensation in an injury case is intended to make a plaintiff whole again. It may present in the form of economic and non-economic damages. These may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the incident and may be reduced to as short as six months. Contact an experienced injury lawyer for more information.

A pre-existing condition is generally an injury or medical condition that a claimant had before they were involved in an accident. As a result of the injuries suffered in the incident, a pre-existing condition may have worsened. The at-fault party has the responsibility to pay for the aggravation of a pre-existing condition that occurred from an accident caused by their negligent actions. While having a pre-existing condition does not necessarily prevent you from seeking financial recovery for your serious injuries and losses, it is essential to understand how it may affect your civil case moving forward.

Without a doubt, an insurance company may go to great lengths to get out of paying a personal injury claim to an injured party with a pre-existing condition. This may occur through a defense tactic with the basis that the insurer should not front the costs of a degenerative condition that was there all along. When dealing with difficult insurance carriers, it pays to retain legal counsel with experience overcoming the various defense tactics insurers may use to avoid paying out bodily injury claims.

As you work with an attorney, it is essential to disclose your complete medical history with them. The reason is that medical records from before and after the accident are a crucial part of establishing that a condition was worsened because of that incident. Keep in mind that your shoulder dislocation lawyer will have your best interests at heart and will know the best way to proceed with your civil case. For more information on how a pre-existing condition such as chronic shoulder instability may impact a personal injury case, reach out to an experienced accident attorney today. Watch the following video for tips on how to select the best lawyer to handle your case.

Accidents happen when least expected. However, that does not mean that an injured party should have to endure the consequences of another party or entity’s negligence. If someone else was responsible for the incident, you may have the right to take legal action in the form of a personal injury claim. While California law allows for the recovery of economic and non-economic damages, obtaining them is not always easy as there may be difficult insurance companies and defense counsel involved in the process. You will need an injury lawyer with experience handling dislocated shoulder cases to protect your rights and interests every step of the way.

As a personal injury law firm that has represented many parties injured in accidents throughout the state of California since 1982, our team of skilled accident attorneys can help you navigate the legal process. We understand how challenging it may be to get your life back on track after suffering a life-changing injury such as shoulder dislocation and would be honored to put our knowledge and resources to work for you and your case. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and receive free, friendly case advice from one of our lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Photo Source:  By “Tumisu” via Pixabay

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