Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.
Knee Pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be managed, although the damage to joints can’t be reversed. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and receiving certain treatments might slow progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.
Following a Car accident Osteoarthritis after a car accident (i.e., post-traumatic osteoarthritis) is not uncommon. For example, about 12% of all cases of osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, and ankle are caused by some type of trauma or accident.
Making a Claim for Osteoarthritis After a Car Accident
In any type of personal injury case, your damages claims must be based on the medical treatment you received in connection with the accident. That means, in order to make a claim for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, your doctor must have specifically diagnosed you with osteoarthritis and also specifically written that it came from your car accident.
Damages for Osteoarthritis Following a Car Accident
Damages for osteoarthritis are no different from damages for any other type of injury or condition. You are entitled to recover for all of the negative effects caused by your osteoarthritis, not just your medical bills.
Osteoarthritis certainly causes pain and suffering and may also limit your ability to work, depending on the severity of your condition and the type of work that you perform. You are entitled to recover any and all damages that are caused by your car accident. It doesn’t matter whether your damages were directly caused by your injury (i.e., a broken leg or herniated disc) or by post-traumatic osteoarthritis. As long as your damages are causally related to your car accident, you are entitled to recover for them
If you get into a car accident, you should contact a qualified car accident lawyer as soon as possible so that you can learn your legal rights.
