Introduction
Pain in the shoulder blade is an anatomical pain complaint that stems from multiple sources such as injury, medical condition, or some other reason. As a lawyer representing clients with accident-related shoulder injuries, grasping the intricacies of this type of pain is crucial. This article breaks down shoulder blade pain, its origins, and how the medical record review impacts legal cases. The goal here is to provide the legal practitioners with sufficient information needed to increase their analytical skills in helping the clients to achieve the desired outcome.
Understanding Shoulder Blade Pain
Overview of Shoulder Blade Anatomy
• Scapulae: The corresponding bones forming the shoulder blades are referred to as scapulae and these are situated at the backs of the shoulders.
• Muscle and Joint Connections: They articulate with the arm at the shoulder joint and with the clavicle bone at the acromioclavicular joint and are surrounded by a soft tissue envelope composed of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Common Causes of Shoulder Blade Pain
• Injuries: Accidents may inflict trauma resulting in fracture or strain.
• Medical Conditions: Other causes of pain include the different forms of arthritis, bursitis and frozen shoulder syndrome.
• Referred Pain: Other sources include the potentially impacted lung or heart.
The Role of Medical Records Review in Shoulder Injury Cases
Importance of Medical Records
- Evidence of Injury: Medical records provide essential documentation of injuries sustained in accidents.
- Treatment History: They outline the treatment received, which is crucial for establishing the severity of the injury.
How Medical Record Review Companies Assist Attorneys
• Case Preparation: Medical record review companies conduct record analyses and identify case-supporting information.
• Admitting Information: They can give their opinion on the medical aspect of the case, which makes the attorney’s case stronger.
Legal Framework Surrounding Shoulder Blade Injuries
Relevant Laws and Regulations
• Personal Injury Claim: It is very important for attorneys to know how to navigate the framework of personal injury claims.
• Legal Responsibility: These claims tend to be complex when many people are defendants, particularly with shoulder injuries.
Types of Claims
• Claims of Physical Damage: We can request compensation for damages suffered during accidents.
• Compensation Payment: Employees who are injured while working may receive compensation payment from their employers.
Current Trends and Data (2024)
Recent Statistics on Shoulder Injuries
- Increase in Injuries: A 12% increase in shoulder injuries related to accidents was reported in 2024 compared to the previous year.
- Treatment Rates: Approximately 250,000 shoulder injuries were treated in emergency rooms across the United States in 2023.
Impact of Technology on Injury Prevention
•Safety Measures: Attempt is being made to use new and advance technological innovations to improve safety and lessen the instances of shoulder injuries in different environments.
•Legal Implications: Lawyers need to address and understand how such innovations may affect the legal cases they have to litigate or defend.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: The Car Accident Injury
• Overview: A client was injured in a car accident as a result of another driver negligently colliding into them, causing damage to the client’s shoulder.
• Challenges: Determining the realistic functional loss of a given injury that greatly affects the client’s lifestyle.
• Solutions: Identification of the contested injury in the course of the client’s treatment of the accident via a dispute on the medical treatment of the physician helps in settling the negotiations.
Case Study 2: Workplace Injury
• Overview: One of the employees suffered an injury to the shoulder while lifting some heavy pieces of equipment necessary for their work.
• Challenges: Claiming damages from an employer is as difficult as proving the scope of the injury.
• Solutions: His medical records had palpable evidence of serious destruction on his shoulder which, in the course of clearing the burden of proof for the necessities of claim, reinforced the need for compensation.
Conclusion
Pain originating from the shoulder region from the scapula and above is multifactorial. For attorneys who represent clients with such injuries, they must grasp these nuances. With the knowledge of medical record review companies, lawyers may improve their capabilities to fight for their clients and mitigate damages.
