The lawyers at O’Dea Earle are committed to helping injured clients obtain the best, most timely resolution to their case. Our legal experience in injury matters is combined with an aggressive, proactive approach at all times.
A personal injury can take many forms, both physical and psychological. Broken bones, nerve damage, brain injuries, long-term pain, and PTSD are all examples of the types of injuries we see at our practice. Injuries can be caused by an array of accidents or by the negligence or carelessness of another. Cases involving negligent actions of others typically include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, and workplace injuries.
If your injury has resulted in any of the conditions below, you may be entitled to compensation. Even if you don’t see your condition listed below, you may still be entitled to compensatory benefits.
Sciatica is one of the most common conditions that can present itself after an accident. It can manifest after a car accident, slip and fall, or other accident. Sciatica is very debilitating, and this painful condition isn’t always responsive to medical treatment. Sciatica results from trauma to the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body), which runs from the lower back to below the knee. Sharp pain in the lower back and down one leg is a symptom of sciatica, along with numbness, pins and needles in the feet, and tingling.
Shoulder injuries cause pain and discomfort and are prone to re-occur. In addition to pain, shoulder injuries can severely impact your mobility. Shoulder injuries are usually the result of trauma to one of the three main components of the shoulder – the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), and the humerus (upper arm bone). This trauma could be the result of a car accident, slip and fall, a falling object, work related injury, or other accident.
When the brain experiences blunt trauma or force, or severe shaking, a brain injury – often called traumatic brain injury or TBI, can occur. The trauma results in swelling of the brain which can lead to disrupted brain function, more often referred to as “brain damage.” These injuries can be severe and lasting. Accidents that can result in a brain injury include car accidents, slip and falls, a fall or falling objects, and other accidents.
Bursitis and joint pain occur as a result of inflammation of the Bursae, fluid-filled sacs that function as a lubricating cushion between bones, tendons, joints, and muscles. There are over 150 bursae in the human body, and once inflamed, the pain for the individual can be quite severe and debilitating. The pain may occur anywhere there are joints in the body, including the shoulders, ankles, hips, knees, and thighs.
In addition to spinal cord injuries which are very severe and impactful for individuals, back injuries can also include upper back injuries, lower back injuries, herniated disks, and strains and sprains. Twenty-five percent of the population experiences back pain at some point in their life, and for many, the pain is chronic and debilitating. Back injuries are usually the result of an accident, such as a car accident, slip and fall, and quite often, workplace accidents.
When the neck moves back and forth rapidly, this can cause an injury to the neck known as whiplash. Whiplash can be a severe injury, due to damage incurred to the bones, disks, and soft tissues in the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that result from a car accident, usually a rear-end collision where the victim’s head is suddenly propelled forward, but their body is restrained by the seat belt. In cases of whiplash, severe neck pain and muscle stiffness may be experienced immediately after the accident. The individual may also experience tingling and numbness in the arms, shoulder and upper back discomfort, or even nausea and impaired vision.
A knee injury can affect your ability to walk, run, climb stairs – in essence, move about your daily life. Because the knee is a major load-bearing joint, damage can severely affect mobility. The most common knee injuries are tibia plateau fractures, ligament sprains and tears, ruptured patellar tendon injuries, fractures, dislocated knees, and cartilage damage. Usually, knee injuries are the result of a direct blow to the knee, forceful twisting or bending, or overuse. Knee injuries are often caused by an accident, such as a fall, sports accident, or workplace accident.
PTSD often occurs after a painful, sudden incident, such as a car accident or other unexpected, traumatic event. A severe injury and the life-changing effects that come later can lead to the negative mindset characterized by PTSD. It is important for people with PTSD to seek medical help immediately. Individuals experiencing PTSD may have recurring memories, reliving the incident over and over in their minds and feeling the same panic and fear, even though the incident, and possibly the physical effects, have passed.
Fibromyalgia is a condition best characterized as widespread or universal pain. A personal injury can result in fibromyalgia, due to the actual physical injury or the anxiety of dealing with its effects. The actual cause of fibromyalgia has yet to be determined by the medical world, but symptoms can include morning stiffness, severe fatigue, headaches, sleep disruption, memory/concentration problems, numbness and tingling, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and more.
Depression is a common condition that negatively affects how you think, feel, and interact. After an accident, the pain and anxiety of dealing with injuries and financial strain may cause the injured individual to become depressed. The toll of trying to provide for a family and recover at the same time may be insurmountable for the person. After an accident, depression may present itself alongside other conditions like anxiety and PTSD. Depression can last for years and make life almost unbearable for the victim.
Pinched nerves can be a serious injury and are a very common result of auto and other accidents. A pinched nerve occurs when bone or surrounding tissue presses against a nerve, interfering with the nerve’s capacity for sending messages back and forth from the brain. Symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on the extent of the injury and location of the nerve itself.
Injuries caused by damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nerves are called soft tissue injuries. Strains, sprains, or contusions are usually the cause. Soft tissue injuries can occur in the event of a car accident, slip and fall, or may develop gradually over time due to work-related repetitive use. Some common types of soft tissue injuries include whiplash, contusions, bursitis, and myofascial pain (myalgia).
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