What Is an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
Chest injuries are common in car accidents and slip and fall incidents, but just because they occur frequently doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. One such type of injury you can suffer is an intercostal muscle strain, which can result in severe pain when you breathe or move. Learn more about these injuries and how they occur.
What Is an Intercostal Strain?
An intercostal muscle strain impacts the muscles located between the ribs. These muscles are in charge of expanding and contracting the ribcage, making it possible for you to breathe and move normally.
Strained muscles have suffered some form of damage to the fibers, including tearing them. This leads to severe pain and inflammation. It’s not always easy to tell if you have injured intercostal muscles.
Some of the most common symptoms to watch for include:
- Pain when breathing or coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Tightness and stiffness in the affected area
- Trouble bending, twisting, or reaching over your head
- Tenderness in the rib area
Often, people who have suffered these injuries struggle to sleep. It could impact your everyday life in all manner of ways and could prevent you from working.
What Causes Intercostal Muscle Strains?
Trauma can result in these types of muscle strains. If you’re in a severe car accident, one type of airbag injury you can experience is internal bruising in your chest. If you suffer broken rib bones, they can puncture muscles or put significant pressure on them, leading to these injuries. The same can occur if you fall and hit your chest.
Overexertion is another potential cause. Although you likely don’t use these muscles for more than expanding and contracting the ribcage, lifting heavy objects can result in the tearing of muscle fibers. It’s also possible for repetitive motions to cause these injuries. That could be a concern if your work requires you to constantly perform certain motions.
Beginning a Claim After Suffering an Intercostal Muscle Strain
If the intercostal muscle strain you suffered occurred because of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to begin a personal injury claim. To do so, you will need to establish that the other party owed you a duty of care that they breached, resulting in your injury.
Why Should I Hire a Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer?
It’s always a good idea to have a personal injury lawyer by your side as you start the process. They can investigate the accident and gather the evidence that can make the most difference to your claim.
One of the most important reasons to hire an attorney is that they have experience negotiating with insurance companies, which are always searching for ways to minimize claims and may try to pin all of the blame for the accident on you.
What if I’m Partly at Fault for the Accident?
Texas allows you to be partly responsible for the accident and collect damages via modified comparative negligence. However, you will be barred from recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault. That makes having a lawyer fighting for your rights vital. If the disputes continue, your attorney can help you take the case to court. That’s something you should never do without representation.
Contact the Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you have sustained losses in an accident that someone else’s conduct caused, one of the options you may have is to file a personal injury claim. Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help.
These claims help you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and all other losses you suffered. With the right Dallas personal injury attorney assisting you, the process can be simpler. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We proudly serve in Dallas County and its surrounding areas:
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers
1825 Market Center Blvd # 350, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 556-8321
Hours Open: 24/7
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