At Kode Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial stress that shoulder injuries cause. Our Seattle personal injury lawyer has helped numerous clients secure fair compensation for shoulder injuries caused by car accidents where someone else was at fault. We encourage you to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation to discuss the potential value of your injury claim.
Factors That Influence Your Shoulder Injury Settlement
Every shoulder injury case has unique elements that affect its value.
- Treatment requirements. The more extensive your medical intervention—from emergency care to surgery to ongoing physical therapy—the higher your potential compensation.
- Recovery timeline. Shoulder injuries often require lengthy rehabilitation, sometimes lasting 6-12 months. Your settlement should account for the full duration of your recovery, including any permanent limitations you might face.
- Work impact. If your shoulder injury prevents you from returning to your previous occupation or limits your career advancement opportunities, your settlement should reflect this long-term wage loss.
- Quality of life changes. If you can no longer participate in activities you once enjoyed—whether that's playing with your children, engaging in sports, or even handling basic self-care—these losses merit compensation beyond just medical expenses.
- Pre-existing conditions. While having a pre-existing shoulder condition doesn't prevent you from receiving compensation, you'll need medical evidence showing how the accident worsened your condition beyond its previous state.
How Insurance Companies Value Shoulder Injury Claims
When evaluating your shoulder injury claim, insurers typically start by totaling your medical expenses, including projected future costs. They then add documented lost wages and apply a multiplier based on the severity of your injury to account for pain and suffering. This multiplier typically ranges from 1.5 for minor injuries to 5 or higher for severe cases requiring extensive surgery.
Insurance adjusters often minimize claims by questioning whether your shoulder injury resulted directly from the accident or stemmed from pre-existing degeneration. They may also dispute the necessity of certain treatments or suggest your recovery should have progressed faster. Having comprehensive medical documentation and expert testimony can counter these tactics.
Keep in mind that Washington's pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Common Types of Car Accident Shoulder Injuries and Their Settlement Values
Shoulder injuries from car accidents can range from relatively minor strains to complex injuries requiring extensive surgery. Every case is unique, but here are some rough settlement ranges for the injuries we most often see at Kode Law:
- Labrum tears. Settlements for labrum repairs generally fall between $75,000 and $100,000, though this can increase with more complex repairs or if you develop long-term complications.
- Torn rotator cuffs. These tears are particularly debilitating because they limit your ability to lift and rotate your arm. Settlements for rotator cuff injuries typically range from $50,000 for partial tears to over $150,000 for complete tears requiring open surgery.
- Shoulder dislocations. These injuries typically result in settlements ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on severity. If you require stabilization surgery to prevent future dislocations, your case value increases substantially.
- Total shoulder replacement surgery. These cases tend to result in higher settlements, often ranging from $100,000 to over $300,000, because they involve permanent changes to your mobility and strength.
Building a Strong Shoulder Injury Case After Your Seattle Car Accident
To maximize your shoulder injury settlement, you need evidence that clearly connects your injury to the accident and documents its full impact on your life. When you work with Seattle personal injury law Preet Kode and the team at Kode Law, we’ll build your case with:
- Medical documentation. This includes emergency room records, diagnostic imaging results, surgical reports, and notes from all follow-up appointments.
- Expert testimony. Statements from orthopedic specialists can strengthen your case by explaining complex medical concepts in terms a jury can understand. These experts can also project your future medical needs and potential complications, justifying higher settlement amounts.
- Daily impact evidence. We encourage our clients to keep a journal documenting their pain levels, mobility limitations, and how their injury affects their daily routine. Photographs or videos showing your inability to perform certain tasks can support your claim for non-economic damages.
- Witness statements. Testimony from family members, friends, and coworkers can verify how your shoulder injury has changed your life. These personal accounts resonate with insurance adjusters and jurors alike.
