How Much is My Soft Tissue Injury Insurance Claim Worth in Ontario?
February 13, 2021
How Much is My Soft Tissue Injury Insurance Claim Worth?
If you have suffered a soft tissue injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to a soft tissue injury insurance claim. This type of injury could result in pain and suffering throughout your life which means an insurance settlement may be your best option for recovery.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Damage to ligaments, tendons, and muscles are known as soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries are common during sports and exercise as well as through everyday activities. They are also very common after an accident. A soft tissue injury may be referred to as a sprain or strain. Tendonitis and bursitis are also forms of soft tissue injuries. One issue with soft tissue injuries is that they can take a significant amount of time to heal. Acute soft tissue injury is caused by a sudden trauma, such as a fall, twists or blow to the body while a chronic soft tissue injury is caused by repeatedly using a muscle or joint without the right amount of rest in between.
Accidents That Commonly Cause Soft Tissue Injuries
One of the most common accidents that cause an acute soft tissue injury are slips and falls. However, it is possible to suffer this type of injury in an automobile accident as well. A chronic soft tissue injury is usually related to a workplace issue and may be covered under a different type of soft tissue injury insurance claim in Ontario. Soft tissue injuries are difficult to document, and it is not unusual for you to receive a soft tissue injury insurance claim denial from the company. In fact, many companies view soft tissue injury insurance claims skeptically which can make settlement difficult.
Average Compensation
If you have suffered an injury to your soft tissues, you may be wondering what the average compensation for those types of injuries may be. In Ontario, motor vehicle accidents are classified into three categories – catastrophic, non-catastrophic, and minor. Around 85 percent of all claims submitted are categorized as minor which caps compensation at $3,500. However, it is possible that your soft tissue injury insurance claim in Ontario could be categorized as catastrophic if your pain is significant which may increase the compensation on your claim.
Whiplash Disorder Scale
The categorization system used is known as the Whiplash Associated Disorder Scale which grades your injury from a level one to four. For instance, if your doctor believes you have severe neck pain that may also include fracture-dislocation, your soft tissue injury insurance claim may be categorized as a four. Because whiplash and other soft tissue injury diagnoses can be subjective, it could be difficult getting a higher category on your own. Keep in mind that there are some soft tissue injuries that may be permanent, requiring lifelong treatment.
How to Prove You Have a Soft Tissue Injury Claim
You will need to provide medical records that state you have a soft tissue injury in order to successfully file a soft tissue injury insurance claim. This may include certification from your doctor, medical tests, and other documents that demonstrate the extent of your injury. It is critical that you not over exaggerate your injuries in order to obtain a larger claim as you could face legal ramifications should it be discovered your injuries are not as serious as you report. Keep in mind that it can take several years to recover from some soft tissue injuries. It is also important that you follow your doctor’s advice regarding recovery. More than likely you will be ordered to rest, ice, compress and elevate the area that is injured (RICE). There may also be physical therapies available to help promote healing. No matter what your doctor orders, it is critical that you follow those instructions to avoid a soft tissue injury insurance claim denial.
Get Help
In order to receive a settlement that will compensate you for your soft tissue injury is to hire a lawyer. Doing so does not mean you plan to sue the person who caused your injury. A lawyer looks out for your interests and fights to get you the compensation you deserve. If it does require going to court, the lawyer will be your voice in the courtroom, presenting your side of the events and helping you receive what you are entitled to under the law.
If you have suffered a soft tissue injury, contact us today to learn how we can help. You can arrange for a no-obligation consultation by calling or filling out the easy online form today. Our job is to fight for you and help you get what you are entitled to for your pain and suffering.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is a general guideline made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to be used as legal advice for the reader's specific situation nor in general. By reading our blog and website content, the reader acknowledges the above and understands there is no lawyer-client relationship created between you and Himelfarb Proszanski through this content. To get specific legal advice, we encourage you to book a free consultation with one of our lawyers to clarify the legal aspects of your situation.