Expert Legal Representation for Arthroscopic Surgery Injuries in New Jersey

Shoulder damage associated with arthroscopic surgery

Because your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body, it is also the most unstable. The factors that allow you to move your arms in virtually every direction make your shoulder prone to serious injuries. Founded in 1950, Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC concentrates exclusively on personal injury, medical malpractice and workers compensation recovery. Depending on the facts of your shoulder injury case, we can help you recover damages from the defendants who injured you in the first place or from the doctors who botched your arthroscopic surgery.

Common shoulder injuries

Your shoulder joint is composed of your collarbone, shoulder blade and the upper humerus bone of your arm. These bones are held together and moved by an intricate system of ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Cartilage and labrums cushion the ball and socket to allow your arm to move freely within the joint. All of these components can become injured in a traumatic accident or through overuse, resulting in:

• Shoulder sprains — These occur when the ligaments that attach your shoulder joint to your arm and chest bones are stretched or torn.
• Rotator cuff injuries — Tendinitis, bursitis and tearing or overstretching your rotator cuff — the muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint — are all common injuries that can result from repetitive stress or trauma.
• Shoulder dislocation — This happens when your joints are forced out of position.
• Labrum tear — This involves the tearing of the cartilage situated between the ball of your humerus and the socket of your clavicle.

Arthroscopic surgeries to repair shoulder injuries

The most common shoulder surgeries are performed by arthroscopy — for example, repairing or excising the damaged labrum tissue, removing scar tissue, resetting a dislocated shoulder and releasing impingement in the rotator cuff. If mistakes are made during this complex surgery, you risk permanent disability and pain to the afflicted joint that is worse than the initial injury itself.

Causes of shoulder injuries

A blow to your shoulder can cause immediate acute trauma and overuse can cause repetitive stress injuries, such as in events involving:

• Falls — Throwing your arms out to protect yourself during a fall forces your shoulder to bear the brunt of the impact.
• Auto accidents — A blow to your shoulder from a side collision or the sudden forceful movement of your body from a head-on or rear-end collision can cause serious damage.
• Motorcycle accidents — As your shoulder hits the pavement or gets crushed under the weight of your bike, you are likely to suffer severe damage.
• Assault— Poorly maintained property that gives assailants places to hide and the opportunity to attack can lead to an assault resulting in shoulder injuries.
• Workplace repetitive stress — Jobs that require repeated movements — such as lifting heavy boxes or throwing a hammer — can cause debilitating repetitive stress injuries to your shoulder.

At Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC, our personal injury attorneys strive to recover the maximum amount of damages possible for you. There are no up-front costs to you, and you pay no fees unless we win your case.

Consult our  attorneys about filing a claim to recover for your shoulder injury

To learn more about your legal rights to recover for your shoulder injury, call Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC at 973 676-1555 or contact us online to schedule your one-hour free initial consultation. We provide a stress-free environment to discuss your case. For your convenience, we have offices in East Orange Office, Elmwood Park Office, Pompton Plains, and Avon by the Sea, with Spanish-speaking translators available by request.