Frozen Shoulder After a Car Accident

A frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and debilitating condition characterized by the gradual onset of shoulder pain and significant stiffness, resulting in limited range of motion in the affected shoulder joint.

What causes frozen shoulder?

While the exact cause of a frozen shoulder is not always clear, it can result from various factors, including injury, inflammation, or underlying medical conditions, and often requires medical evaluation and treatment to restore normal shoulder function.

The force and impact of a car accident can cause various types of injuries to the shoulder, including trauma to the joint, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries can result in pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion, which are characteristic symptoms of a frozen shoulder.

The factors that can lead to shoulder injuries in a car accident include:

• Seatbelt injury: Wearing a seatbelt is crucial for safety, but in a collision, the force of the seatbelt across the shoulder can cause injury. This is known as a seatbelt injury or a seatbelt-related shoulder injury.
• Direct impact: If the shoulder area is directly impacted during a car accident, it can result in trauma to the shoulder joint or soft tissue. This happens when the shoulder strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or side door.
• Whiplash: In rear-end collisions, the abrupt movement of the head and neck can transfer force to the shoulders. This can lead to strains, sprains, or other shoulder injuries that can contribute to a frozen shoulder.
• Airbag deployment: While airbags are designed for safety, their rapid deployment can cause shoulder injuries, especially if the shoulder is in close proximity to the airbag at the time of the crash.

Typically, a frozen shoulder begins with mild to moderate shoulder pain. The pain may start gradually and worsen over time. One of the primary characteristics of a frozen shoulder is a significant reduction in the range of motion of the affected shoulder. You may find it difficult to perform everyday activities that involve lifting or reaching.

You may experience stiffness in the shoulder joint, making it challenging to move the arm in various directions, especially when reaching overhead or behind your back. The pain may not only occur during movement but can also be present when the shoulder is at rest.

A frozen shoulder typically progresses through stages: the "freezing" stage, the "frozen" stage, and the "thawing" stage.

• Freezing stage: This stage is characterized by the gradual onset of pain and increasing stiffness. It can last for several months.
• Frozen stage: During this stage, the pain may decrease, but the stiffness remains. Activities become severely limited, and it can last for many months.
• Thawing stage: In this stage, the range of motion slowly improves, and pain subsides. It can take several months to years to reach full recovery.

If you have frozen shoulder, consult with a medical professional to assess the extent of your condition and determine the most suitable treatment plan.

Auto injury treatment for frozen shoulder may include: 

• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you range-of-motion exercises to help recover as much mobility in your shoulder as possible. These exercises are crucial and are the primary treatment method.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help ease pain and inflammation. In more severe cases, stronger pain relief medication or muscle relaxants might be prescribed.
• Heat and cold therapy: Applying heat can help loosen the shoulder before performing stretching exercises. Applying cold packs can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Corticosteroid injections: Corticosteroid injections into the shoulder joint can significantly reduce pain and improve shoulder mobility, particularly in the early stages of the process.
• Joint distension: Injecting sterile water into the joint capsule can help stretch the tissue and make it easier to move the joint.
• Shoulder manipulation: Under anesthesia, the doctor may move the shoulder joint in ways that cause the capsule and scar tissue to stretch or tear. This can help improve range of motion.
• Surgery: Surgery is rarely required for frozen shoulder. However, if symptoms are severe and not responding to other treatments, surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions from inside the shoulder joint may be considered.

How much is my frozen shoulder car accident settlement?

There’s no fixed amount to expect from your settlement. Compensation for a frozen shoulder claim can vary, depending on the severity of the injury and the car accident you were involved in.

You’ll need an experienced attorney to accurately value your claim before negotiations begin. That includes calculating how much money you’re eligible for in medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Getting compensated for a frozen shoulder claim isn’t an easy process. Insurance companies are often difficult to deal with, especially when they use tactics to reduce their payout. They may try to delegitimize your injury or shift the blame onto you. 

That’s why you need a legal advocate on your side who understands the personal injury settlement process. A Law.com Premier Attorney will fight to ensure that your rights are protected, and you get the compensation you’re entitled to. They’ll thoroughly investigate your car accident and use the evidence to negotiate with insurance companies. 

It doesn’t cost anything upfront to hire a Premier Lawyer. That’s because they work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if they win your case. If you have any questions or are ready for the next step, contact a lawyer in your area for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.