Dealing with a soft tissue injury can turn your life upside down. These injuries, often caused by car accidents or slips and falls, might seem minor but can lead to lingering pain, high medical expenses, and time away from work. On top of that, the claims process with an insurance company can be a long battle.
When you’re left wondering how much compensation you might receive, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Settlements vary widely based on factors like the severity of the injury, medical costs, and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate. Without the right guidance, you risk settling for less than you deserve.
This is where the Recovery Law Center in Hawaii can help. An experienced personal injury attorney from our team can evaluate your case, handle negotiations, and work to maximize your compensation. By understanding what influences car accident settlements and knowing how to approach your claim, you can focus on healing while we take care of the rest. Keep reading to learn more about average settlements for soft tissue injuries in Hawaii and how we can help you.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue injuries affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the body. These injuries often occur from overuse, sudden impacts, or accidents like falls, sports injuries, or car crashes. While some are mild and heal with rest, others can lead to severe injuries requiring medical attention and physical therapy.
Common types of soft tissue injuries include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Contusions
- Tendonitis
These injuries can be painful and limit mobility. In some cases, soft tissue damage is part of more complicated conditions, such as neck injuries or spinal cord injuries. For severe injuries, medical treatment may involve imaging tests, physical therapy, or even surgery to aid recovery.
Neglecting treatment can lead to long-term issues, including chronic pain or limited range of motion. Early intervention with proper care, such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), can reduce swelling and improve healing. Physical therapy plays a significant role in regaining strength and mobility, especially for those recovering from more serious injuries.
Soft tissue injuries not only impact physical health but can also lead to financial stress, such as paying for medical treatment or handling rising medical bills. Seeking prompt care and following a recovery plan can prevent complications and help you return to daily activities faster.
In personal injury cases, soft tissue injuries are a frequent focus, as they may result in significant medical bills and impact daily life. Car accident settlements often take these injuries into account, especially when they lead to ongoing treatment or limit a person’s ability to work.
Do You Qualify for Soft Tissue Injury Settlements?
To qualify for a soft tissue injury settlement, you must typically show:
- Liability: The other party was at fault for your injury.
- Injury Evidence: Medical records, bills, and detailed documentation of your condition.
- Impact: Proof that the injury caused financial or emotional hardship, such as pain and suffering or missed work.
A personal injury attorney can help gather evidence, build your case, and negotiate with the insurance company.
What Is the average Personal Injury Settlement for Soft Tissue Injuries?
The amount varies depending on the severity of the injury, the treatment required, and the impact on your daily life. Average personal injury settlements for soft tissue injuries can range from a few thousand dollars for minor cases to tens of thousands for more severe ones.
Typical considerations include:
- Medical Costs: Current and future treatment expenses
- Lost Income: Wages lost due to the injury
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress
Insurance companies often aim to settle for as little as possible. Having an experienced personal injury attorney can help you secure a fair personal injury settlement.
How Are Soft Tissue Injury Settlements Calculated?
In Hawaii, several factors affect how much compensation you may obtain after a soft tissue injury, including whether the injury is temporary or permanent, its effect on your life, and the amount of related expenses. You may receive reimbursement for your economic damages and additional compensation for non-economic damages, but every settlement is unique based on your specific case facts.
During your free initial consultation, the knowledgeable attorneys at Recovery Law Center can assess your claim and tell you how much it’s worth.
Economic damages
You’ll likely incur various expenses due to your injury. Economic damages reimburse you for these costs, such as:
- Medical treatments
- Lost wages
- Certain replacement services
- Property damage
Keep your bills and receipts because this reimbursement is dollar-for-dollar.
Non-economic damages
You may develop conditions alongside your soft tissue injury that adversely affect your life afterward. Non-economic damages compensate you for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety, PTSD, and depression
- Losing your enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
Insurance companies often balk at paying these damages and may state that you don’t suffer from these conditions. Hiring a competent personal injury lawyer is critical to obtaining the maximum compensation you deserve in soft tissue injury settlements. People with legal representation typically receive significantly higher payments than those without.
Punitive damages
In very rare cases, you may receive punitive damages. To qualify, the person who caused your soft tissue injury must have acted in specific, reprehensible ways. Ask your attorney if you are eligible.
What Is Modified Comparative Negligence?
Modified comparative negligence is a legal principle used in personal injury cases to determine fault and compensation. It addresses situations where more than one party shares responsibility for an accident. Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault, but only if their level of fault does not exceed a certain threshold, typically 50% or 51%, depending on the state.
For example:
- If you are 30% at fault for a car accident, your compensation will be reduced by 30%. If your total damages are $10,000, you would receive $7,000.
- If you are 51% or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation, depending on state laws.
This rule is commonly applied in a car accident settlement and other personal injury cases to ensure fair outcomes.
Why Are Soft Tissue Injury Cases Sometimes Challenging To Prove?
Insurance companies don’t want to pay soft tissue injury settlements and may attempt to deny your claim. Unfortunately, people sometimes make fraudulent injury claims. This history often makes insurance companies skeptical when presented with claims that include soft tissue injuries.
Broken bones are clearly shown on X-rays, providing proof that the condition exists. With soft tissue damage, diagnostic tests and tools usually don’t highlight these injuries. Although this type of injury typically produces pain and swelling and may have lifelong consequences, tests can’t necessarily prove your claim is valid.
Visiting a healthcare provider after the accident causing your soft tissue injury is vital. Your physician will create medical records documenting your symptoms, injury, treatments, and complications. You can also keep a journal that details when and how your soft tissue injury causes problems in your everyday life. Your attorney will use these records as proof in your personal injury claim.
How Can Recovery Law Center Increase Your Soft Tissue Injury Settlement?
Whether you are a Hawaii resident or visitor, Recovery Law Center will advocate fiercely for your rights. We use our more than 25 years of experience handling personal injury claims to seek maximum compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation.
We will thoroughly investigate your injury and its cause, hiring specialists or expert witnesses if needed. Contact our firm 24/7 to request your free consultation, and we’ll explain how we can maximize your soft tissue injury settlement. Call us today or submit our consultation request form online.
