An intercostal muscle strain is an injury that affects the muscles between two or more ribs. The intercostal muscles are made up of many layers of tissue that attach to the ribs and form the chest wall. They also assist with breathing. If these muscles become overstretched, they can tear slightly, resulting in a strain.
If you’ve sustained this type of injury in a vehicle collision, workplace accident, or other traumatic event, it’s important to understand your legal rights and whether you may be entitled to seek compensation. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses.
Common Symptoms of an Intercostal Muscle Strain
After sustaining an intercostal muscle strain, you could experience symptoms like:
- Sharp pain in the rib area
- Upper back pain
- Spasms of the intercostal muscles
- Tenderness in the area between the ribs
- Muscle rigidity
- Gradual worsening of pain after repetitive movement
- Intense pain when coughing or inhaling deeply
The most common causes of intercostal muscle strains involve direct blows to the chest, such as in a car accident, a fall, or an assault. These injuries can also result from repetitive forceful movements.
Treating Intercostal Muscle Strains
In some cases, rest may be all that’s needed to heal. This means moving as little as possible and using heat and cold therapy as needed to alleviate pain. In more serious cases, you could be prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxants.
You may also need physical therapy, where you’ll learn stretching and breathing exercises to strengthen the intercostal muscles.
One of the issues you might experience with this type of injury is developing a habit of breathing shallowly to avoid pain. Over time, this can further weaken the muscles, so it’s important to start breathing deeply as soon as possible. Physical therapy can be a tremendous help.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After Suffering an Intercostal Muscle Strain
If the muscle strain you sustained occurred because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you might consider filing a personal injury claim. This type of legal action could help you recover significant losses.
For your claim to succeed, you typically must demonstrate that the other party acted negligently or behaved in a way that another reasonable person wouldn’t have. You must also file before the statute of limitations expires. In Georgia, you generally only have two years to file a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, you’ll be barred from seeking damages for your losses.
What if I Strained My Intercostal Muscles at Work?
The process is a bit different if you suffered an intercostal muscle strain at work. If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you’ll usually file a claim against their coverage, which will let you receive assistance for your medical bills and lost wages.
You likely won’t be able to file a personal injury claim against your employer, which means you won’t receive compensation for pain and suffering. If another party besides your employer was responsible for your injury, such as a subcontractor or another third party, you may be entitled to file a claim against them directly.
If you’re unsure about your options, working with a qualified attorney is always a wise choice.
Contact Our Kennesaw Personal Injury Lawyers at Starks Byron, P.C. for Legal Help After an Intercostal Muscle Strain
The pressure of pursuing a personal injury claim after sustaining an intercostal muscle strain in an accident can feel like too much. To make things easier on yourself, consider hiring an attorney to guide you through each step of the legal process. With dependable legal assistance, you’ll have a much better chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
For more information, call Starks Byron, P.C. to contact our team of Kennesaw personal injury lawyers if you need legal help after an intercostal muscle strain.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
