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Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tissue Injuries

Q: What are soft tissue injuries?

A: Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons, but not bones or organs. These injuries can be contusions, strains or sprains. A common example of a soft tissue injury is whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue in the neck that happens through rapid forward and/or backward movement of the head, often due to the impact of a car accident. Soft tissue injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, on the other hand, can occur over time as the result of repetitive movement.

Q: How do I prove that someone else is responsible for my soft tissue injuries?

A: It is likely that you and your attorney will try to show that the responsible party — the defendant in a potential lawsuit — is liable under the legal theory of negligence. If, for example, you suffered soft tissue injuries in a car accident, you and your attorney will need to show that the driver of the other car did not act as a reasonable driver would have acted under the circumstances and that you were injured as a result.

The most common example of a single-occurrence soft tissue injury is a condition known as "whiplash", an injury to the ligaments and muscles in the neck that results from rapid back-and-forth movement of the head after impact.

Some personal injury lawyers will not even consider a soft tissue injury case because they expect that a "minor" back or neck injury will not be compensable. Attorneys at Winters & Yonker P.A. in Tampa, Florida, know that every personal injury is worth evaluating. A herniated disk or neck injury often requires prompt evaluation and care to prevent symptoms from worsening.

Soft Tissue Injuries - An Overview

Injuries to muscles, ligaments and tendons are often referred to as soft tissue injuries. Although they may be difficult to recognize with the naked eye, these injuries can be long lasting and painful. Soft tissue injuries are so named because they do not involve damage to bone or organs. They are frequently the result of a single occurrence, such as an automobile accident — even a seemingly minor fender bender can cause soft tissue injuries. A common example of a single-occurrence soft tissue injury is a condition known as whiplash, an injury to the ligaments and muscles in the neck that happens as a result of rapid backward-and-forward movement of the head. If you have suffered a soft tissue injury, consult a personal injury attorney from Winters & Yonker P.A. in Tampa, FL, as soon as possible to discuss your legal remedies.

While car accidents are a common cause of soft tissue injuries, it is important to note that soft tissue injuries can happen in numerous other ways, including gradually as a result of repetitive movements. This often happens on the job, resulting in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and through overstretching of the muscles and joints. Whatever the cause, soft tissue injuries include:

Strain
Sprain
Bursitis or tendonitis
Contusion/bruise
Dislocation
Nerve damage

What To Expect in a Soft Tissue Injury Case

The progress of your soft tissue injury case depends on the circumstances of your injury and the availability of evidence. How your case is prepared and how it proceeds will be influenced by whether you were injured in an auto accident; by slipping and falling on someone else's property; as the result of an assault; or due to some other cause. Most cases, however, follow the general framework discussed below. An attorney can guide you through the process as your case is investigated, filed and resolved.

Treatment and Prevention

No matter the cause, soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, muscle strain and ligament damage can be difficult to recognize and diagnose. These injuries can cause great pain and discomfort. Proper medical treatment of soft tissue injuries is the key to your recovery. This article describes some of the methods used to treat soft tissue injuries and offers tips on preventing these injuries. If you have been in an automobile accident; are experiencing pain due to repetitive movement at work; or have been involved in any other incident that caused soft tissue injuries, it is important that you seek medical care as soon as possible to protect your well-being. It is also important to consult an experienced personal injury attorney to preserve your legal rights if you have suffered a soft tissue injury.

What To Do if You Are Injured in an Accident

Soft tissue injuries are serious. Immediately after an accident, your next actions could be crucial to your recovery — both physically and financially. Get the medical attention you need; then contact an attorney who can help you understand your legal options.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash — also called a hyperextension/hyperflexion injury, acceleration/deceleration injury and cervical sprain/strain — is an injury that occurs most often to drivers and passengers involved in rear-end-collision automobile accidents, when the force from the impact causes their heads to snap violently backward and/or forward. The crash does not need to happen at high speed; even at low speed, the unexpected motion can cause injury to muscles, tendons, nerves and vertebrae in the neck. Symptoms may appear immediately or after several days have passed. After seeking medical attention for your injury, contact an attorney to discuss your next steps.

Soft Tissue Injuries Resource Links

Whiplash Information Page
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health, explains the symptoms, treatment and prognosis of whiplash.

Sprains and Strains
MedlinePlus offers information on sprains and strains, along with numerous links to additional resources.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Womenshealth.gov provides an overview of carpal tunnel syndrome, its treatment and prevention and links to further resources.

Injury, Violence and Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discusses accident prevention, driving safety, workplace safety and more.

Ergonomics
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers resources and strategies for reducing injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

Soft Tissue Injuries Information Center

Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tissue Injuries