You can barely lift your arm. Reaching for a seat belt, carrying groceries, or brushing your hair brings sharp, stabbing pain. But when the insurance adjuster looks at your file, they say the imaging looks “normal” and your claim isn’t worth much.
Sound familiar? Shoulder injuries are among the most misunderstood and underestimated claims in personal injury cases.
Seattle car accident lawyer Preet Kode has seen it time and again: clients with serious shoulder damage are offered lowball settlements based on outdated assumptions and a lack of medical understanding.
Why Are Shoulder Injuries So Misunderstood?
The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body. It’s capable of wide-ranging motion but prone to injury—especially in car accidents. Despite this, adjusters often dismiss these injuries for one key reason: they don’t show up clearly on basic imaging.
Here’s what many adjusters miss:
- Soft tissue damage can be severe—even if the X-ray looks normal. Rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, or shoulder impingement syndrome usually require advanced imaging like MRIs, not just X-rays.
- Symptoms don’t always appear immediately. Inflammatory processes and overuse from compensating movements often worsen in the days and weeks after the injury.
- “Mild” doesn’t mean insignificant. A “partial” tear or “mild” tendinopathy might still require surgery, months of rehab, and permanent work restrictions. Shoulder injuries often involve persistent pain, reduced range of motion, and difficulty performing basic tasks—none of which are obvious in a file unless someone takes the time to look deeper.
How Do Insurance Companies Downplay Shoulder Injury Claims?
Adjusters are trained to minimize claim values—and shoulder injuries give them plenty of wiggle room to do just that.
Common tactics include:
- Blaming age or preexisting conditions. Many adjusters argue that shoulder pain is due to “degenerative changes,” especially in older adults—even when trauma clearly triggered the symptoms.
- Misinterpreting medical records. If a record doesn’t explicitly say “torn rotator cuff” or “labral tear,” adjusters may claim the injury doesn’t exist—even if the doctor has clearly documented loss of function or persistent pain.
- Delaying or denying advanced imaging. Without an MRI, it’s easier for the insurer to claim the injury is “subjective” and unproven.
- Offering fast but unfair settlements. Many adjusters push quick settlements before the full extent of the injury is known—locking victims into low payouts that don’t cover long-term needs.
What Should You Do If You Have a Shoulder Injury?
If your shoulder was injured in a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence, the steps you take now are critical.
Here’s how to protect your rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Don’t wait to see if it gets better. Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes—and stronger evidence for your claim.
- Push for the right imaging. If your symptoms persist but X-rays are inconclusive, ask your provider about an MRI or referral to an orthopedic specialist.
- Document everything. Keep a daily journal of your pain, mobility limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life and work.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers. Adjusters may use your own words against you to downplay the severity of your condition.
How Can a Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Proving the seriousness of a shoulder injury takes more than medical jargon. It requires connecting the dots: how the injury happened, why it matters, and what it means for your life moving forward.
At Kode Law, Seattle car accident lawyer Preet Kode works with medical experts to interpret imaging, explain treatment plans, and challenge dismissive insurer arguments. She builds claims that highlight:
- The full scope of medical treatment (including surgery and rehab)
- Long-term physical limitations and pain
- Impact on work, caregiving, and daily activities
- Need for future care or accommodations
Her goal is to ensure your injury isn’t just “noted”—it’s understood, valued, and compensated fairly.
