The musculoskeletal system of the body is critical for movement and enjoyment of life. While injuries to bones, muscles, and ligaments are common, these types of injuries can be painful and temporarily disabling, sometimes leading to long-term complications. If you have suffered an orthopedic injury that you believe would not have occurred but for the fault of another party, you may have a claim for damages. To learn more, reach out to our law firm directly today for your free consultation.
Types of Orthopedic Injuries
An orthopedic injury refers to any injury of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic trauma is defined as an injury caused by an external force to the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, ligaments, cartilage, joints, muscles, and tendons of the body. Common orthopedic injuries include rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, torn ACL, torn meniscus, ankle and foot sprains, and stress fractures.
Causes of Orthopedic Injuries
Some orthopedic injuries are the result of repetitive stress caused by overuse, for example, doing the same task/position at work over and over again, or over-exercising. Other orthopedic injuries are caused by trauma, as defined above. These acute orthopedic injuries may be the result of a car accident, a slip and fall, a pedestrian accident, a bicycle accident, or even a violent attack. If a person suffers an acute orthopedic injury that is caused as a result of a traumatic accident, they may have a cause of action against the person who caused the accident. For example, a person who suffers an orthopedic injury in a car accident may have the right to bring forth a claim for damages against the negligent driver who caused the accident.
What to Do After Suffering an Orthopedic Injury
After suffering an orthopedic injury, the most important thing that you can do is to immediately seek medical care. Getting medical treatment is essential for your recovery, but is also an important part of the claims process. If you fail to seek treatment but then later try to claim damages for your injury, the insurance adjuster assigned to your case may question the relationship between the damages and the accident.
In addition to seeking medical care, it’s also important to report the accident as soon as possible. If you are involved in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you should report the accident to the police immediately. You should also report the accident to your insurance company ASAP.
If you are able, you should also gather as much evidence as you can related to how your injury occurred. This might include the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses, photos of the accident scene, notes about what you were doing at the time of the accident, and the information of the other party involved. This evidence could be key in developing your claim and recovering damages.
Call a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Today
To learn more about your rights after suffering an orthopedic injury and the damages to which you may be entitled, call the office of Tetzel Law directly today. Our experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorneys are here to help you when you need it most. Reach us online or by phone at (617) 742-1700.