New Jersey Soft Tissue Injury Lawyers

Paramus trial attorneys put their skills to work for you

Soft-tissue injuries refer to damage to the body’s muscles, ligaments, discs, and tendons. These injuries usually occur when some event, such as a car crash or a fall, causes a sudden overextension of an area of the body. Unlike a bone fracture, which is a hard injury readily apparent on an X-ray, soft-tissue injuries raise questions about the extent of harm the victim has actually suffered. As a result, many victims of soft-tissue injuries never receive the full compensation they deserve. At Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus, we are determined to oppose that trend. We understand your suffering, and we are willing to fight for your rights, even if that means taking your case to trial.

What Is whiplash?

Whiplash is a term frequently used to describe soft-tissue injuries, particularly in car accidents and especially rear-end collisions. Whiplash is actually a syndrome, meaning it is a combination of symptoms that result when a person’s head is suddenly jerked backward and then forward, or side to side. When this rapid movement causes the neck to stretch beyond its normal range of motion, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck and upper back are strained. Whiplash can also involve injuries to the spine, discs, and nerves, exacerbating the injury’s severity.

Symptoms of soft-tissue and whiplash injuries

The symptoms of soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash, can vary greatly depending on the injury’s severity and the specific tissues affected. Common symptoms include:

• Neck pain and stiffness — The most prominent symptom of whiplash is pain in the neck, which may increase when turning the head or lifting objects.
• Headaches — Many individuals with whiplash suffer from chronic headaches, especially tension headaches that radiate from the neck.
• Back and shoulder pain — Tension in the neck often leads to discomfort in the upper back and shoulders.
• Dizziness or vertigo — Some individuals report feeling dizzy or off-balance after a whiplash injury.
• Numbness or tingling — If nerves are affected, it may lead to sensations of numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.
• Fatigue — Chronic pain can lead to significant fatigue, affecting the ability to sleep and maintain energy levels.

Whiplash symptoms are stubborn. Recovery often requires immobilization followed by extensive rehabilitation.

Long-term consequences and prognosis for recovery

Many individuals recover within a few weeks to a few months with proper treatment, including physical therapy, medications for pain relief, and rest. However, some individuals experience ongoing symptoms, a condition known as chronic whiplash syndrome. This can result in long-term pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, which can impact a person’s ability to work and perform daily activities.

In severe cases, soft-tissue injuries can cause lasting damage to the muscles and tendons, leading to permanent impairment. Recovery time depends on the injury’s severity, the individual’s overall health, and the treatment received.

How New Jersey’s no-fault insurance law treats whiplash injuries

New Jersey operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning that regardless of who is at fault in an accident, each driver’s insurance will cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with an injury. Victims of whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries typically file a claim with their own insurance company for compensation.

Under the no-fault system, the injured party must meet certain criteria before they can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering. This includes showing that the injury passes the legal threshold of being a permanent injury that causes substantial impairment.

We’ll take your whiplash case to trial, but many NJ attorneys won’t

While whiplash injuries are common and can be painful, many New Jersey attorneys are hesitant to take these cases to trial for several reasons. One major factor is that soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash, can be difficult to prove. Unlike bone fractures, these injuries don’t show up on X-rays. For that reason alone, whiplash has long been regarded as a questionable condition, prone to fakery. MRIs can detect soft-tissue damage, but patients with similar MRI imaging can have vastly different pain experiences. Therefore, MRIs do not necessarily support claims of pain, weakness, or lack of mobility.

Attorneys who want to achieve an appropriate settlement for their clients have to craft a case based on “circumstantial evidence,” such as testimony from a broad array of witnesses as to the change in the victim’s lifestyle, due to the restrictions the injury has imposed. This is pain-staking work, and frankly, many attorneys are unwilling to go through such lengths to serve their clients. We have spoken to auto accident attorneys who outright refuse to take a soft-tissue case to trial. Of course, insurance companies pick up on this, so they offer only minimal settlements.

At Razi & Giampa Law, we understand that the threat of a trial is often the only way to compel an insurance company to settle a claim reasonably. We promise each and every client that we will take their case to trial if that’s what it takes to achieve justice.

Contact Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus for a free soft-tissue injury consultation

Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus provides highly professional and compassionate legal services for accident victims who sustain soft-tissue injuries in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at (201) 534-5011 or contact our firm online.