Myositis, or myositis ossificans, refers to the growth of bone tissue, typically in your muscles. Some cases of myositis are hereditary, but others have bone growth where they shouldn’t after a traumatic injury. When you sustain an injury, the body’s natural reaction is to make new cells in order to heal itself. But sometimes, your body may not make the right cells, i.e., it creates bone cells instead of fibroblasts, or muscles cells.
When you have bone formation where you shouldn’t, the result is a lump beneath the skin that’s painful and tender. Myositis can be diagnosed with a biopsy and/or imaging scan (X-ray, CT scan, etc.), and many cases are treatable with physical therapy and other nonsurgical options. However, the condition is painful and requires consistent management to help with pain and inflammation. You may also have to restrict your activities, which can interfere with your job and other areas of your life.
Myositis is common among those who experience blunt force trauma from a car accident or slip and fall. If you were injured in an accident because of negligence by someone else, we can help you explore the option of filing an accident claim and receiving compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. Contact our office and talk to a lawyer with experience in myositis caused by car accidents and other traumatic incidents.
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Can Myositis be Caused by an Accident?
Yes, myositis is often caused by injuries from accidents where people experience trauma to various parts of their body. The condition is most common in the arms and legs where you have your largest muscles. That’s why myositis is commonly associated with athletes, who sustain repeated injuries to their body. However, any accident that results in significant bruising to the muscles can also cause myositis. As a result, you can develop myositis if you hurt yourself from a fall or in a bike, car, or motorcycle accident.
The most common symptom of myositis after an accident is a large lump right beneath the skin, typically in the arm or leg. However, those with paraplegia will likely have a lump around the hip or knees. The lump may be fast-growing and warm to the touch, and there’s a good chance you will experience the following sensations:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
It’s quite possible that you will eventually have reduced range of motion if the lump is near a joint. This will happen over time as the lump gets bigger, which is why it’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes in the area where you are injured.
Treatments for Myositis Following an Accident
Some cases of myositis go away with simple treatments that can be done at home. Initially, your doctor will recommend non-invasive methods, such as:
- Using ice packs to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Limiting physical activities
- Stretching exercises
- NSAIDS like ibuprofen and aspirin
- Elastic bandages to help with swelling
Physical therapy can also help with symptoms of myositis, as it will help you increase strength and range of motion. In the most severe cases, you may need to have the bone growth surgically removed. This is a last resort, however, and only performed if you continue to have severe pain or limited movement after an extended period of nonsurgical treatments.
Proving that an Accident Caused Myositis
As you are probably aware, medical records and testimony from experts in the field are the most important elements in a case of myositis resulting from an injury that was caused by someone else. That’s why you must be examined by a doctor right away, preferably within 48 hours after the accident. Then, make sure to attend all your appointments and communicate with your doctor about any unusual symptoms, or if your symptoms get worse. This is the key to uncovering disorders like myositis and starting the right course of treatment as soon as possible.
Along with treating the illness, your medical records are essential to building a case for compensation. To sue for a case of myositis caused by a slip and fall or any other incident, you will need to establish a clear link between your injuries and the accident. Otherwise, it can be argued that the injuries were caused by something other than the accident, which will make it difficult for you to succeed in an injury claim.
Aside from medical intervention, make sure to obtain legal advice from an experienced attorney. Here at Normandie Law Firm, we have a team of car accident lawyers and slip and fall attorneys, who are all waiting to assist you. Simply give us a call and talk to a member of our legal team if you need advice on how to proceed with an accident claim for myositis or any other health condition.
Average Case Value of Post-Accident Arthritis Injury
Lawsuits for myositis caused by auto accidents or an unexpected fall can have values ranging from $15,000 to over $2,000,000 based on the damages you are owed. Those who were injured by another party’s negligence may be eligible to receive some or all of the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages, including lifetime lost wages if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Injuries are the most important factor, no matter what type of accident you are in. Many people who are injured in a car crash or fall accident have multiple injuries with vary degrees of severity. For example, those who were in a head-on collision may have sustained traumatic brain injury, torn ligaments in the shoulder and a clavicle fracture. Later on, they are diagnosed with myositis, but this is just one of several injuries that resulted from the accident. This is why there are significant variations in how much accident victims can end up with from a lawsuit.
How Long Does it Take to Settle these Cases?
Getting paid from an accident claim can take anywhere from several months to over 3 years, based on many issues that need to be resolved throughout your case. It’s always our goal to investigate your claim, submit a demand letter, and negotiate a settlement within 6 months. However, the amount of time needed to settle a lawsuit is typically longer if you have serious injuries with long-term or permanent complications. Additionally, many of the clients we represent have health conditions, like myositis, that are related to an injury from the accident. Making a case for disorders caused by an injury can be quite challenging, and as a result, it can take around 12 to 24 months to reach a settlement.
There are many issues that affect how long it takes to settle a personal injury lawsuit. For more information on this subject, please schedule a free consultation with one of our legal experts.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit – How Long Do I have?
Whether you are filing a slip and fall claim or a car accident lawsuit, the deadline to initiate a legal case is 2 years of the accident date. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so you will generally lose the right to sue if you are more than 2 years from whenever you fell down or suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident. With that in mind, please contact an accident injury lawyer, who can file the necessary paperwork on your behalf as soon as possible. That way, you have secured your right to monetary damages from the individual or entity that caused you harm.
Deadline to Sue a Government Entity
Many clients we represent were injured on government property or had an accident that was caused by people working for the government. For example, maybe you were rear-ended by a police vehicle, or you fell down inside a county office building from water on the floor. A government claim for injuries must be filed in 6 months from whenever the accident occurred. Please note that claiming compensation from the government is different than the process for suing a store, restaurant, homeowner, or some other private entity. It’s essential that you contact us and have one of our attorneys guide you through the process from start to finish.
Zero Fee Guarantee
We have a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee, where accident victims receive free legal services for the entire duration of their case. The cost of representation from one of our attorneys is billed to the party that injured you. That means the defendant pays our fee as a part of your settlement check, and if we don’t win your case, you owe us $0, no matter how much time and work we invested in your lawsuit.
The personal injury lawyers of Normandie look forward to speaking with you and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact us right away and schedule a free case evaluation if you developed myositis after an auto accident or slip and fall.
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