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Soft tissue injuries are a common type of injury that can happen anywhere and to anyone, from a simple slip to a more serious car accident. While these injuries are minor, they can still be extremely painful and difficult to recover from.
Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to treat soft tissue injuries differently than other types of bodily harm, often denying coverage or offering significantly less money for compensation than would be available for more serious physical damage.
In this article, we’ll discuss soft tissue injuries, how they differ from other types of bodily harm, and why insurance companies often treat them so differently.
Definition of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are physical injuries to the body’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These injuries are often caused by sudden activity, excessive pressure, or overuse. Soft tissue injuries range from minor sprains and strains to serious tears and ruptures.
Insurance companies treat soft tissue injuries differently than other types because they are difficult to diagnose and verify. X-ray and MRI scans may not always reveal the extent of soft tissue damage, which makes it hard for an insurance company to assess the severity of an injury.
They may also be concerned that a claimant exaggerates the extent of their injury to receive a larger settlement. Therefore, insurance companies typically require additional evidence before awarding compensation for soft tissue damages.
Soft tissue injuries can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mobility, so claimants must work with their doctor and experienced counsel to ensure they receive fair compensation.
Types of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries refer to any trauma inflicted on the body’s ligaments, muscles, and tendons. These injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Tendonitis
- Pulled muscles
- Sprains and strains
Any of these can be caused by various activities such as sports, car accidents, or falls.
The degree of damage to soft tissue can range from mild to severe. The injured area may be tender and swollen in mild cases but will heal with rest and ice therapy. More serious injuries require medical treatment, such as physical therapy or surgery, to repair the damage. Insurance companies often treat soft tissue injuries differently than other types of bodily injury because they may not be visible on x-rays or MRI scans. This makes it difficult for insurance companies to determine the extent of the injury and whether the claimant should receive compensation for their claim.
As a result, insurers may reject claims or offer lower settlements than what would normally be paid out for other types of bodily injury claims. Soft tissue injuries can have a long-term impact on a person’s quality of life due to pain and decreased mobility in the affected area.
Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries
Here are three main causes of soft tissue injuries:
- Overuse — Repetitive motions can cause small tears in the muscle fibers leading to pain and soreness. This type of injury is more likely to be covered by insurance companies because it is often seen as an occupational hazard, especially for those who engage in physical labor.
- Trauma — Sudden trauma or an abrupt force that exceeds the strength limits of the muscles or ligaments can cause them to tear or even rupture completely. This kind of injury may require costly medical treatment and rehabilitation, which could make it difficult for insurance companies to cover all the costs associated with such an incident.
- Medical conditions — Diseases like arthritis and diabetes can disrupt blood flow, weakening connective tissues and increasing the chance of trauma-related damage occurring even after minor incidents. Insurance companies understand this risk and will often factor this into their coverage decisions when dealing with soft tissue injuries due to pre-existing conditions.
While these three causes are some of the most common ways people suffer from soft tissue injuries, other potential sources could lead to similar outcomes. People need to recognize these risks so they can take necessary precautions when engaging in activities that might increase their chances of getting hurt in this way.
Understanding how these injuries occur can help people better prevent them from happening in the first place – something insurance companies consider before offering coverage for such cases.
Challenges of Proving Soft Tissue Injury Claims
Soft tissue injuries can be difficult to prove and treat, making them challenging for many insurance companies. They are often complex conditions that cannot be seen with an X-ray or other imaging techniques. This means that diagnosis is more subjective than other types of injury, as it relies on the doctor’s determination based on patient history, physical examination, and symptoms reported by the patient.
The problem is further complicated when it comes to treatment. Soft tissue injuries heal in their own time and require specific treatments such as physiotherapy, massage, and targeted exercises. These treatments can be costly and may need to be ongoing until the injury is fully healed, which not all insurance companies are willing to cover. This can create a struggle between what the doctor recommends and what the insurance company can provide.
Due to these difficulties associated with soft tissue injuries, insurance companies often take a hard line when it comes to claims of this type. To properly assess their validity, they must look at the individual case carefully to determine whether they should cover any costs associated with treatment.
Why Insurance Companies Treat Soft Tissue Injuries Differently
Insurance companies treat soft tissue injuries differently because they can be more difficult to prove than other types. This is because no visible evidence is available, such as an x-ray or broken bone, to support a claim of soft tissue injury.
Insurance companies also consider the potential for exaggerated claims when assessing a soft tissue injury case. Due to this risk, they may take longer to process these claims or require more information before approving them. As such, claimants must understand the potential challenges of proving a soft tissue injury claim before filing one. With this knowledge, individuals can focus on strategies for dealing with soft tissue injury claims and ensure they receive fair compensation for their injuries.
Strategies for Handling Soft Tissue Injury Claims
Soft tissue injuries are a common type of injury caused by sprains, strains, contusions, and tears in muscles and tendons. Insurance companies treat these differently because it can be difficult to prove the severity and cause of the injury.
When dealing with soft tissue injury claims, it is important to have evidence that supports the claim. This may include medical records, witness statements, or photos of the injury site. Additionally, it is essential to keep detailed records of all communication with insurance companies throughout the process.
Most importantly, you should get a professional involved immediately. Contact our team at Injury.io to start building your case.
Justice McDaniel is an experienced copywriter and blogger. She has over three years of experience providing outstanding legal content that ranks.
