Navigating Rotator Cuff Tear Car Accident Settlements in Orlando, FL

Rotator cuff tears can be agonizing, as you’re well aware if you’ve torn yours in an accident. A rotator cuff injury also severely limits your ability to do things. You might find stretching, reaching, or even playing with your little ones nearly impossible.

Naturally, you want justice for the limitations your injury has placed upon you. Below, a personal injury attorney in Orlando explains what you should know about navigating your rotator cuff tear car accident settlement.

Rotator Cuff Injuries Explained

You’re probably aware that the rotator cuff is part of your shoulder, but it’s a bit more complex than that. The rotator cuff is a bunch of tissue, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons, connecting to the ball and socket of your shoulder joint. It’s responsible for holding everything together when you move your arm around.

There are two main types of rotator cuff tears: partial and complete. If any part of the tendon remains attached to bone, it’s classified as a partial tear. If the tendon is completely torn, this is called a complete tear.

Rotator cuff injuries often heal slowly because there’s not much blood flow to the area. Depending on the injury’s severity, a rotator cuff tear may require surgical repair.

How Much Is a Rotator Cuff Tear Car Accident Settlement Worth in Orlando, FL?

It’s difficult to say how much your rotator cuff tear car accident settlement might be worth because every case is different. You could win a settlement worth $50,000 or possibly even six figures.

Here are a few things that can influence the value of your settlement in Orlando, FL.

Insurance Coverage and Policy Limits

It may surprise you to know that bodily injury insurance coverage is usually not required in Florida. So, if the driver who hit you doesn’t have bodily injury coverage, your only recourse might be to file a lawsuit. Even if the driver does have coverage, it might not be enough to pay for all of your damages.

Medical Expenses

Rotator cuff tears come with plenty of medical bills. Doctor’s bills, the cost of surgery, medication, and physical therapy can add up to a ton of money, and that’s with good insurance.

Generally, the higher your medical expenses, the higher your settlement. Keep records of all medical treatment to ensure fair reimbursement.

Pre-Existing Conditions

This is problematic if you have pre-existing conditions because the at-fault driver’s attorney might try to use them against you. For instance, they might say that you injured yourself due to your own carelessness.

However, even if you already had a shoulder injury at the time of the accident, you can recover damages if the crash made your injury worse. Treatment records from your doctor can show how the accident has worsened your pre-existing condition.

Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

If you’ve torn your rotator cuff, you can likely forget about going to work for a while. Thankfully, you can recover damages for lost wages if you’re too hurt to work. You can also seek compensation for the loss of future earning capacity if your doctor doesn’t think you’ll ever fully recover. Damages are intended to compensate you if you can never work again or if you must take a job in a different industry.

Pain and Suffering

Rotator cuff injuries are often terribly painful, so much so that it’s challenging just to make it from one day to the next. If your pain is so bad that simply moving your arm requires monumental effort, the good news is that you can sue for pain and suffering.

To calculate these damages, your Orlando lawyer will multiply your economic damages by a number ranging from one to five. The worse your injuries are, the higher the multiplier they can use.

Hire Representation for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Car Accident Settlement in Orlando, FL

Need advice on your rotator cuff tear car accident settlement? Want to learn some crucial things to know about car accident settlement agreements? Reach out to our Orlando firm led by attorney Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., who has more than 30 years of experience.

For a consultation, call The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., at (239) 500-5000 or contact us online.