What Are the Most Common Causes of Hip Injuries?

Hip injuries can happen in a wide range of situations, though there are certain accidents that tend to cause these injuries more frequently than others. Generally speaking, because the hip is one of the body’s primary weight-bearing joints, when significant force is applied to the body, the hips are often affected as well. Some people suffer immediate pain after an accident, while others may not realize the full extent of the injury until days or even weeks later. Some of the most common causes of hip injuries are as follows:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Construction accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Falls caused by icy walkways or uneven surfaces
• Nursing home falls
• Bicycle accidents
• Heavy lifting accidents

Some of the most common hip injuries sustained in accidents are as follows

• Hip fractures
• Hip dislocations
• Torn ligaments or tendons
• Labral tears
• Pelvic fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Nerve damage
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Bursitis caused by trauma

Unfortunately, some hip injuries ultimately require surgery, including full or partial hip replacement procedures, while others may leave accident victims dealing with chronic pain or mobility limitations for years to come.

How Can a Hip Injury Affect Someone’s Quality of Life?

Hip injuries are often far more serious than people initially assume. This is because the hip joint is involved in so many daily movements that most people take for granted until they are no longer able to move comfortably. Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may struggle to work, exercise, drive, care for family members, or even perform ordinary household tasks. Many people who suffer hip injuries experience symptoms such as:

• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Reduced mobility
• Stiffness
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Difficulty sleeping
• Instability while moving
• Limited range of motion

For some individuals, these symptoms gradually improve with treatment. Unfortunately, for others, the effects may become permanent. In more severe cases, accident victims may require assistive devices such as walkers or canes, ongoing rehabilitation, or modifications to their homes.

One of the more difficult aspects of a serious hip injury is that it can impact both a person’s physical and emotional well-being simultaneously. When someone loses mobility or independence, it frequently affects their overall quality of life in significant ways. People often become frustrated when they can no longer participate in hobbies, recreational activities, exercise routines, or family activities they once enjoyed regularly.

Additionally, hip injuries can interfere with a person’s ability to earn a living. Someone who works in construction, transportation, healthcare, warehousing, or any physically demanding profession may suddenly find themselves unable to return to work for an extended period of time. In some situations, they may not be able to return to the same profession at all.

Qualifying for Compensation for a Hip Injury

If you suffered a hip injury because another party acted negligently, you may qualify for financial compensation under New Jersey law. Generally speaking, to recover compensation in a personal injury claim, you will have to establish that another party’s negligence directly caused your injuries and damages. Depending on the circumstances of your case, potentially liable parties can include the following:

• Negligent drivers
• Property owners
• Trucking companies
• Employers
• Contractors
• Product manufacturers
• Government entities

To recover compensation, there are several things that typically must be proven. They are as follows:

• The other party owed you a duty of care
• That duty of care was breached
• The breach directly caused the accident
• The accident caused measurable damages

There are various forms of evidence that may help prove a hip injury claim in New Jersey, including the following:

• Medical records
• MRI results and diagnostic imaging
• Accident reports
• Witness statements
• Photographs or video footage
• Physical therapy records
• Employment records
• Expert testimony
• Medical bills and invoices

Compensation in a hip injury case can cover a wide range of damages, depending on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life. In many cases, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment costs
• Physical therapy expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mobility assistance devices
• Home accommodations for severe injuries

File Your Claim On Time

If you are considering pursuing a hip injury claim in New Jersey, it is critical that you understand the importance of acting quickly. New Jersey law imposes strict deadlines regarding how long accident victims have to file personal injury claims.

Generally speaking, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in New Jersey is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file your claim within the applicable deadline, you may permanently lose your right to pursue compensation altogether.

Contact an Essex County Hip Injury Lawyer Today

The bottom line is that if you’ve sustained a hip injury due to another party’s negligence, you can depend on a personal injury lawyer here at Berliner, Cohen, Accardi & Grossman, LLC to fight for your rightful compensation. Contact us for a free initial consultation today so we can discuss your case and begin building a comprehensive strategy on your behalf.