Rotator cuff injuries affect the tendons and muscles of the shoulder, and such injuries can be painful and significantly interfere with your life. It may be difficult to use your arm, and returning to your job may be difficult or impossible. A lawyer can help you negotiate with those responsible for your injury for a good settlement.
What makes a settlement for a rotator cuff injury good or acceptable depends on various factors around the injury and the accident that caused it. Of course, the severity of the injury, your pain, and medical costs will be important considerations. We should also think about how the injury affects your ability to work and earn a living. The long-term implications of the injury should also be considered, as serious injuries often lead to long-term or chronic pain and complications.
Our Columbia, SC personal injury lawyers can help you get started with a free, private case evaluation when you call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
What is a Rotator Cuff Injury Settlement Worth in South Carolina?
Rotator cuff injuries can be painful, expensive to treat, and may cause various complications across your daily life. You may have a strong claim for significant damages, and a good settlement should reflect the magnitude of your injuries and suffering.
Severity of the Injury
The severity of your injury will play a large role in settlement negotiations for several reasons.
First, more serious injuries usually come with higher costs. You may pay larger medical bills the more severe your rotator cuff injury is. Some injuries are so serious that victims require long-term medical care, and the settlement should cover current and future medical costs.
Second, more serious injuries often mean greater pain. Regardless of how much it costs to treat your injury, a severely damaged rotator cuff may be quite painful. The more physical pain you must endure, the higher your settlement should be.
How the Injury Impacts Your Job
A rotator cuff injury can make returning to work difficult for many. Since a rotator cuff injury affects your shoulder, it can hinder you from using your affected arm, and you may even experience a degree of neck and back pain.
Physical jobs may be impossible to perform. Even less physically demanding jobs may be challenging if you cannot use the arm affected by the rotator cuff injury.
If you cannot work, you may lose income, and your lost earnings should factor into a good settlement.
Nature of the Accident
The overall nature of the accident may also play a role in settlement negotiations. For example, if you were injured at work because your employer was grossly negligent, they may be more inclined to pay a higher settlement to avoid a lawsuit that would be expensive and humiliating.
How Can I Obtain a Better Rotator Cuff Injury Settlement?
Defendants often try to avoid paying a fair settlement and may try to get away with paying as little as possible. As such, your negotiation skills are key to getting a good settlement that covers your damages.
Evidence
The more evidence we have, the better. If we do not have evidence of your injury or the defendant’s negligence, the defendant has no reason to pay you a settlement. Many defendants pay settlements because they believe they are likely to lose in court. As such, our South Carolina personal injury lawyers should have evidence strong enough to stake strong claims in the courtroom.
Thorough Medical Records
A major part of your case is your medical records related to your injury. After the injury occurs, go to a hospital immediately for treatment. The longer you wait, the less accurate your medical records might be.
Defendants might point to a large gap in time between your injury and when you first sought treatment to raise doubt. They might argue that anything could have happened during that time to affect your injury, making it less clear how much blame they actually bear.
Accurate Damages Calculations
How we calculate your damages will also influence your settlement. If our calculations are off or we undervalue certain claims, the defendant will not correct us. If you accept a settlement only to realize too late that it is not enough to cover your costs, there may be little we can do to remedy the situation.
Make sure you have all records of costs related to the accident, including medical bills and any other expenses. You should also keep a journal or diary of your painful experiences so that we can get an accurate idea of your non-economic damages.
FAQs About Good Settlements for Rotator Cuff Injuries in South Carolina
What is a Good Settlement for a Rotator Cuff Injury Worth in South Carolina?
A good settlement for a rotator cuff injury depends on your specific situation and damages. For some, a good settlement may be worth several thousand dollars and cover things like medical bills and lost wages. For more serious injuries, settlements may be worth tens of thousands of dollars, possibly more.
How Do I Calculate a Good Settlement for a Rotator Cuff Injury?
We can calculate what your settlement should be worth by considering your economic and non-economic damages. Records of costs and expenses, in addition to the pain and suffering you endured, should be used to calculate a settlement.
What Evidence is Needed to Get a Good Settlement for a Rotator Cuff Injury?
The evidence we need to get a good settlement will depend on how you were injured and what evidence is actually available. Medical records, financial records, your testimony, and personal records like journals or diaries can help us secure a good settlement.
What Factors Should I Consider When Negotiating for a Rotator Cuff Settlement?
We should consider how much your injury has cost you. Save all medical bills and records of other costs directly related to your injury. We should also consider how much pain you have endured. A rotator cuff injury may be painful, and the pain can take a physical and mental toll.
Should I Accept a Settlement or Sue for a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Whether you accept a settlement or pursue a lawsuit is up to you. Many choose to accept a settlement if it is good enough to cover all their damages. Others might rather have their day in court in the hopes of achieving a greater sense of justice and closure. Talk to your lawyer about which path is best for you.
Speak to Our South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Now
Our Florence, SC personal injury lawyers can help you get started with a free, private case evaluation when you call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
