What is Post-Traumatic Arthritis and How it Can Affect My Claim?
Car accidents and other impact-based injuries can lead to a number of debilitating and painful conditions, many of which can go undetected for some time after the accident occurs. If you are experiencing arthritis-like symptoms after a car crash, slip and fall, or other personal injury, you might have a claim for damages. Continue reading to learn about post-traumatic arthritis and how it can affect your personal injury matter. If you have been injured by a negligent driver, property owner, or other party, call a dedicated New York personal injury lawyer.
Can You Develop Arthritis After a Car Accident?
Post-traumatic arthritis refers to swelling and pain in the joints caused, at least in part, by injury to the specific area. Impact-based injury to the wrists, knees, ankles or other joints can lead to fractures and dislocation, while also dealing additional damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the affected area. The injury can affect the functioning of the area and cause the joint’s cartilage to deteriorate over time.
It can take a significant amount of time for the cartilage in a joint to wear down, which means that post-traumatic arthritis might not be detectable for weeks or months after an accident. If you identify any of the following symptoms, make sure to see a physician:
- Joint pain or tenderness, either while static or during movement
- Joint swelling
- Functional limitations in a joint, including stiffness and limited range of motion
- Joint grinding or instability
Compensation Available for Post-Traumatic Arthritis
If you suffered a fracture in an accident and you develop arthritis down the line as a result, you are entitled to compensation for your arthritis-related costs and injuries. You can add arthritis-based damages to your existing claim, if your case has yet to settle or otherwise end, or file a new claim if you never sought recovery previously. If you identify arthritis-like symptoms, let your personal injury lawyer know so that you can add arthritis injury to your claims.
For post-traumatic arthritis, you could be eligible for damages including:
- Medical bills for examinations, treatment, medications, and medical devices necessary to treat the arthritis in the present and the future
- Lost wages for missed work due to arthritis acting up
- Loss of future earning capacity if your arthritis prevents you from performing your work duties
- Pain and suffering caused by chronic arthritis
- Other emotional and psychological damage, such as emotional distress caused by an inability to do normal, everyday activities due to severe arthritis
What if an Accident Aggravates Existing Arthritis?
Personal injury defendants are on the hook for any damages that they cause, including exacerbation of existing injuries. If you had some level of arthritis already, and your arthritis is significantly worsened because of a slip and fall or other traumatic accident leading to a fracture to the ankle, knee, or wrist, you can still add your arthritis injury to your legal claims. Talk to your injury lawyer to discuss your options for recovery.
Dedicated Advice and Representation for Your New York Personal Injury Claim
If you or someone you love has been hurt by someone else’s negligence in New York City, find out if you’re entitled to money damages for your injuries by contacting the passionate and experienced New York car crash injury Leandros A. Vrionedes for a free consultation at 212-889-9362 or 718-777-5895.
