Elbow and Shoulder Injuries

Any time that an individual suffers an elbow or shoulder injury, their overall function is compromised. Such injuries can be debilitating and permanently alter a person’s day-to-day life. If you or your loved one has suffered an elbow or shoulder injury through no fault of your own, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, Baltimore shoulder injury lawyer Julia Arfaa is committed to holding negligent parties accountable for their conduct. Time is of the essence in these cases, so you should reach out to an injury attorney as soon as you can after your accident.

Elbow and shoulder injuries can happen in a variety of ways, such as in slip and falls, motor vehicle crashes, and construction accidents. These incidents range in severity. If it is not treated in a timely manner, however, a condition can become a chronic problem. In some cases, elbow and shoulder injuries can be catastrophic, resulting in paralysis, amputation, or other life-changing conditions. Other common examples of elbow and shoulder injuries include:

• Shoulder separation or loss of joint stability;
• Torn rotator cuffs;
• Dislocated shoulders;
• Chipped bones;
• Hyper-extended joints;
• Broken scapulas or clavicles;
• Ulnar nerve injuries; and
• Radial head fractures to the elbow.

If you sustained an elbow or shoulder injury in an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, you may be able to hold them accountable through a negligence claim. A shoulder injury attorney can help Baltimore residents compile evidence for this type of claim. Negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care in one’s actions. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. Negligence can also occur when a person fails to act when there is a duty to do so. In other words, negligence can take place through either actions or omissions. In order to win in such a claim, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, the defendant breached the duty of care, and the defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the accident and the plaintiff’s resulting elbow or shoulder injury.

It is important to note that Maryland is one of a few states in the United States that still use the contributory negligence doctrine, which is extremely harsh to plaintiffs. Under this doctrine, if the plaintiff is even one percent at fault, they will not be able to recover anything at all. This is why promptly consulting an experienced Baltimore shoulder injury attorney is critical to protecting your rights.

Personal injury claims must be filed within a certain time frame in Maryland, known as the statute of limitations. Under state law, a plaintiff has three years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim in civil court. Failing to file within this time frame could mean being permanently barred from seeking compensation through a lawsuit altogether.

Victims of elbow and shoulder injuries can pursue both economic and non-economic damages for their harm. These damages typically include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Of course, if the elbow or shoulder injury is considered catastrophic, the damages will be substantial because many areas of the victim’s life will have been affected.

We understand how debilitating elbow and shoulder injuries can be. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can force you to be dependent on others for much of your care and cause you to miss long periods of work. At Arfaa Law Group, our knowledgeable attorney understands how to navigate these types of claims. Julia Arfaa can vigorously advocate for your rights throughout the entire legal process. She proudly represents victims and their families throughout Maryland. For a free consultation, feel free to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online. We also represent people who need a spinal cord injury lawyer or guidance following other devastating accidents.