Soft tissue injuries are controversial simply by the nature of what they are. According to Eric Block, a Florida injury attorney whose practice concentrates on personal injury claims and trial work related to those claims, many people don’t understand that soft tissue injuries are basically anything but bone. He explained:

People have the connotation that soft tissue injuries only have to do with muscles, tendons and the neck and are minor injuries in general. That’s really a very big problem because jurors come into the jury box with that misunderstanding. The truth of the matter, which is supported by medical evidence, is that if somebody with a herniated disk in their neck generally has radiating pain down their arms or legs depending on the location of the herniated disk.

Soft tissue injuries CAN be permanent

Block says that doctors will tell you that the pain is really no more or less severe than localized pain in your neck and back if you have suffered a permanent injury to those soft tissues. He continued, “In other words, soft tissue injuries can be just as permanent, can be just as progressive and can be just as painful as herniated disks. The problem is that most folks don’t understand that because they’ve never been told.”

“So it’s very, very important that medical providers testify in an understandable way by bringing in medical illustrations to show the jurors why it is that a soft tissue injury (we actually call it a connective tissue injury) can be just as debilitating and painful as a bone is broken or a herniated disk.”

The importance of following through with medical treatment

Obtaining the medical help you need, and following through with treatment, are very important – especially when you’re involved in litigation. Block explained, “Doctors may say that you require certain types of care once a month or once every two months. However, if you’re not going, then a jury is much less likely to award you that amount of money because you’re not getting the care that the doctors say that you need. So, follow up is extremely important when it comes to future medical bills, claims for future medical bills and the ability for someone to collect those damages.”

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, contact a Florida injury attorney to discuss your situation. The consultation is free, without obligation and strictly confidential.