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Brockton Shoulder Injury Lawyers

Experienced advocacy for catastrophic, permanent, and serious injuries

The shoulder is one of the most movable and mobile joints in the body. Whether it’s swinging a golf club, shooting a basketball, combing your hair, brushing your teeth, or pouring a glass of milk; we rely heavily on our shoulders in everyday life. Flexibility, versatility, and mobility are essential to using your shoulders. At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we have more than 35 years of experience holding negligent drivers, manufacturers, doctors, property owners, and other defendants liable. Our Brockton shoulder injury lawyers work with orthopedists and other medical experts to show how your shoulder injuries are affecting every part of your life.

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What is the anatomy of the shoulder?

The shoulder is a complex structure made up of many moving parts. The shoulder’s range of motion and versatility put great strain on the bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and cartilage that comprise the shoulder. As a result, these structures are susceptible to injuries.

The shoulder is comprised of three main bones:

  • The humerus (upper arm bone)
  • Scapula (shoulder blade)
  • Clavicle (collar bone)

These three bones merge to form a ball-and-socket joint. The end of the humerus (also known as the humeral head) meets with the scapula. The scapula, in turn, joins the clavicle. These three bones are connected by ligaments.

Shoulder muscles are connected to these bones by tendons. Tendons provide additional stability, and the muscles allow the shoulder to move and rotate. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that provide this stability and facilitate movement.

The labrum (glenoid labrum) is a cuff of cartilage that lines the shoulder socket. The labrum stabilizes the ball-and-socket shoulder joint by keeping the ball (humeral head) in the socket (scapula).

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What types of accidents cause shoulder injuries in Brockton?

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we work with professionals (investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts, product safety experts, and others) and through the discovery process (formal questions and answers of everyone with knowledge about your accident) to determine how your accident happened and who is responsible. Our Brockton shoulder injury lawyers handle the following types of accidents that can cause shoulder injuries:

We file personal injury claims and workers’ compensation claims depending on the victim’s job status and relationship to the responsible party or parties.

How do doctors diagnose shoulder injuries in Brockton?

Generally, your doctor will diagnose your shoulder injury by conducting an oral examination, a physical examination, and ordering imaging tests. These imaging tests commonly include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

What are the different types of shoulder injuries?

The following are examples of common shoulder injuries:

  • Broken bones and fractures. The clavicle (collar bone), proximal humerus or humeral head, and scapula (shoulder blade) are susceptible to fractures.
  • Soft-tissue injuries. These injuries involve the tearing of ligaments, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. Rotator cuff tears and labral tears are the most common soft tissue injuries.
  • Dislocations. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the bones are knocked loose from joints. The following three joints are prone to dislocation:
    • Dislocated acromioclavicular joint. This involves the collarbone joint. This type of dislocation is also known as a “separated shoulder.”
    • Dislocated sternoclavicular joint.The clavicle and sternum (breastbone) connect to form this joint.
    • Dislocated glenohumeral joint. This is typically referred to as the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. This joint can be dislocated at the front or toward the back.

Our Brockton shoulder injury lawyers also handle the following types of common shoulder injuries:

What are the symptoms of a shoulder injury?

According to OrthoInfo, the patient education website of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), some of the symptoms of shoulder injuries include the following:

  • General symptoms. These symptoms include pain, bruising, swelling, lack of shoulder motion, deformity, and a grinding sensation when the shoulder does move.
  • Clavicle f The symptoms include:
    • Swelling and bruising about the middle of the collarbone area
    • An area that may have a bump
    • Limited shoulder range of motion
  • Fracture of the proximal h The symptoms include severe pain, limited movement, bruises at the top of the arm, and severe swelling.
  • Fracture of the scapula. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and severe bruising around the shoulder blade.
  • A shoulder separation. Brockton accident victims may experience:
    • “Pain over the top of the shoulder
    • A prominence or bump about the top of the shoulder
    • The sensation of something sticking up on the shoulder”
  • A dislocation of the shoulder. Possible symptoms include the feeling of a “dead arm,” an arm that rotates outward, the inability to move an arm, and a bump/prominence around the front of the shoulder.
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What are the treatments for shoulder injuries in Brockton?

The treatments vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. According to OrthoIno, some of the treatments for shoulder injuries include the following:

  • Clavicle fractures. Generally, surgery is not necessary, with some exceptions, unless the broken bone breaks through the skin.
  • Proximal humerus f Surgery usually is not necessary unless the bone fragments are severely displaced. Surgery may involve “fixation of the fracture fragments with plates, screws, or pins; or replacement of the shoulder.”
  • Scapula f The common treatment is immobilization of the shoulder with a sling or “shoulder immobilizer, icing, and pain medications.” Surgery may be necessary in some cases. Surgery involves realigning the bones and using plates and screws to fix the fracture.
  • Shoulder separation. Severe separations may require surgery, which involves repairing or reconstructing ligaments.
  • Shoulder dislocation. It’s common to treat this disorder in the emergency room by “reducing the dislocation (‘putting it back in the socket’”). Other treatments may be necessary depending on the age of the victim and other factors.

Generally, after any procedure, a victim will work with a physical therapist who will develop exercises to “decrease stiffness, improve range of motion, and help the patient regain muscle strength.”

How much is my shoulder injury claim worth in Brockton?

Our Brockton shoulder injury lawyers work aggressively to maximize your claim. We work with your doctors to verify the type and severity of the shoulder injury you have, review the full range of medical care you need, and how your shoulder injuries are preventing you from working, performing daily tasks, and enjoying your family and life.

Many shoulder accident victims live with chronic pain. In personal injury cases, demand compensation for all your current and future:

  • Medical expenses. These include emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations, doctor visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, assistive devices, and medications.
  • Income losses. These include lost wages, business income, benefits, and long-term disability pay.
  • Pain and suffering. This damage category includes every time you have discomfort, twinges of pain, aches, itches, anxiety, stress, and depression.
  • Other damages. These include:
    • Property damage
    • Loss of consortium
    • Scarring and disfigurement
    • Loss of use of your shoulder
    • The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures

In workers’ compensation cases, we seek payment of all your medical bills, temporary disability (wage loss) benefits, and permanent disability benefits.

Do you have a shoulder injury lawyer near me in Brockton, Massachusetts?

Yes. Our lawyers meet clients at our office located at 555 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA 02301. Our lawyers discuss cases by phone and through online conversations. If your shoulder injury prevents you from coming to our office, we will make arrangements to see you at your home or another convenient location.

We’re ready to answer the questions you have, explain your rights, and fight for all the compensation you deserve.

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Get help from our Brockton shoulder injury lawyers now

We understand how worried and fearful you are. Your shoulder injury is causing you a lot of pain. Your bills are increasing. At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we’ve helped many accident victims like you. We’ve earned the respect of former clients, insurance adjusters, and the legal community for our strong advocacy skills and record of impressive results. Our team aims to help you secure the financial recovery you need to move forward with your life. Call us or contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our Brockton accident attorneys handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis.