I am a 34 year-old California resident. Back in the beginning of January, my son and I were hit while waiting at a stoplight. We were hit pretty hard – my vehicle was actually attached to the vehicle in front of me as a result of the impact. The person that hit us turned out to be under the influence of alcohol. There was a police report done, and the "drunk" individual was cited (in addition, this person actually left the scene of the accident – but was later found since the person in front of me took down the license plate). Thankfully, the person that hit us has insurance.

In January, I spoke with the insurance adjuster of the person that hit us – since there was no question that their insured was at fault, they accepted liability. The adjuster explained that after my son and I complete our medical treatment, they would make a settlement offer.

My insurance company initially paid for the repairs of my vehicle, but was reimbursed by the at-fault party’s insurance. Total vehicle repair came to ,200.

In the accident, my son’s neck and shoulder were injured. He had a couple of medical visits and missed several days of school due to pain. Thankfully, he is currently not experiencing any pain now.

My neck and shoulder were also injured in the accident. However, my injuries were more severe than my son’s. Over the past nine months, I have had 4 1/2 months of physical therapy, cortisone injections, and medications with the pain not improving. Since conservative treatment was not successful, I recently had surgery to correct the impingement in my shoulder. I am currently continuing physical therapy.

Since the accident, I have missed time from work and have incurred out of pocket medical expenses (co-pays, prescription co-pays). The total so far for time off of work (Sick Leave, Vacation, Unpaid) plus out of pocket expenses is around 00. And, the medical bills I would estimate around ,000 – ,000 (including the surgery/anesthesia bill). However, this is just an estimate – as I am still continuing physical therapy and will attend additional medical visits as needed.

I do not have an attorney, and am hoping it will not be necessary to retain one.

I thought I would give a little background leading up to my question. A co-worker of mine mentioned that she didn’t think my settlement offer would include an amount for Pain & Suffering since I do not have an attorney, and am not going through the courts to settle my claim. I was under the impression that my settlement would include time off from work & reimbursements in addition to an amount for pain & suffering. I do realize that every claim is different, and handled by a case by case basis. And, I understand that there really isn’t any "standard" amount I can expect to receive. However, when it comes time to negotiate a settlement, I was hoping to know what a fair estimate would be? And what the settlement will include – including an amount for pain & suffering? (Believe me, this whole experience has made my son and suffer in so many ways – physically, emotionally, and financially).

Does anyone have experience with this type of situation? Any advice / information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Thanks to all who have answered – you’ve all given great advice! To answer one of the questions – yes, it was arthroscopic surgery. Some of you mentioned that I should find out the policy limits of the responsible party. How would I do that? It seems like the adjuster may not be so willing to give up this information! In addition, if I have to file an under-insured claim with my insurance, will they include an amount for pain & suffering, or, only lost wages & reimbursements? Thanks again!

Okay, so I was here last week asking questions about constipation but here I am back again.
It’s going on 10 days now. I have not been able to go to the bathroom on my own yet. I took one ex lax last Monday but nothing happened, I took two on Tuesday and was able to have some relief, however since then nothing. I have been taking stool softeners everyday since and I have yet to see results. I am starting to get really bad back pains and shoulder pains. Is there any way this could all be related? I don’t know what to do next.

Needless to say, i’ve been to A&E twice in no less than 5 days and both times been diagnosed with something different..

I have a searing pain from my shoulder blade to the bottom of my elbow, further down i can’t feel because it is numb..and i have severely restricted movement in my right arm..i can’t move it willingly at all. I say willingly because if someone grabs it and moves it, it will go but it is excruciatingly[sp?] painful..

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be, what the differences are in both, or if you’ve experienced either, or both, how did you get on? What happened treatment wise and how long was that shoulder out of action for? I’m a drummer so quite eager to get on asap..

Thanks folks,
Claire.

I’ve had constant pain in my upper back for a couple of years now. It doesn’t feel like it’s a particular muscle, instead it feels like it’s my actual spine that needs to pop constantly (my upper spine is slightly curved outward, and there is always pressure). It’s painful to stand up straight, and I’m afraid I’m making the curve in my back even worse because it hurts too much to bring my shoulders back, even when I do exercises that improve posture (too much pain in my spine between my shoulders). Whenever I twist my back, it seems like I can’t twist far enough to relieve the pressure (just helps lower back). I exercise and do yoga regularly, and I’m only 18 years old, so it shouldn’t be an age-related problem.

If anyone knows any natural or cheap treatments I can use to help relieve the pressure, it would be so helpful. Thanks.
Sorry, I forgot to say that I don’t have scoliosis. I’ve had several tests from school nurses, and no one ever said that I have it.

For About A week Now I Have been Waking Up At About 6 or 7 am, Because Of A Very Strong Pain In My Right Shoulder. This Pain Lasts About 2 Hours At The Most, and the Only Thing That Can Numb The Pain Is A Hot Shower, However, The Relief Is Short Lived and The Pain Makes Simple Tasks Difficult As The Shoulder’s Flexibility and Strength Are Reduced. I Am A 22 Year Old Male At About 6ft and 180 Pounds. Can Anyone Tell Me Why This Is Happening?

About 5 months back I injured my shoulder playing basketball. At the time of the injury my shoulder felt as if it "slid" out of place, however, I know my shoulder is not dislocated as I have had x-rays done and the Dr. did not mention it being dislocated. About 4 months after I initially injured my shoulder I injured it again by simply rolling out of bed. The pain was more intense and in the same location as the previous injury. I’ve broken bones in the past and I’d say this felt as painful if not more painful (just to give you an idea of the lvl of pain). Since having re-injured my shoulder I’ve been icing it a few times a day and trying my best to limit the use of my right arm.

As I mentioned before, I did go see a Dr. and did have an x-ray done but the x-rays didn’t show us anything useful and the Dr. recommended an MRI. I have no medical insurance so an MRI is outta the Q. Lately though the pain in my shoulder has spread to my upper/mid back, the top of my bicep, and on my side (right under my arm pit). The pains in my back and side seem to be more of a pain that gets gradually worse… almost as if I had pulled muscles in those locations. The pain in my bicep only happens when I rotate my arm/shoulder in a way that my injury disapproves of.. this is more of a sharp short pain. In fact, before my shoulder starts to hurt from just daily routine those other sections of my body start hurting long before my actual shoulder.

My shoulder always seems to be very weak since the injury occurred. If i try to rest my right arm behind my head (like when watching tv) after about 30-60sec my entire shoulder feels very weak, as if I just got done working it out. Needless to say I no longer rest my arm behind my head. But I get that feeling in my shoulder every time I lift my arm above my shoulder for the quoted amount of time.

Is there anyway of figuring out what is wrong with my shoulder w/o an MRI? If anyone could offer any additional treatment options, possible exercises to restrengthen my shoulder, or just good advice on what I may be doing to further the injury would be greatly appreciated.

I was recently told by the trainer at my school that I have tendinitis in my right shoulder. He said that its swollen and it is making my wrist numb too. I did electrical stimulation on my shoulder yesterday morning and today my shoulder is absolutely KILLING me compared to before I had treatment. I ice everyday, as much as I can, and I only take painkillers if it’s necessary. Why am I in so much more pain after the stimulation treatment? What exactly does it do?? Help…

I am a 24 year old, and I just am wondering if anyone knows how commom this type of back pain is. Or what I should do about it, if anything at all…?
For a long time (2yrs) I’ve had ongoing back pain. Starting in the lower back. Something that just wouldn’t go away. I also had kidney infections, so after seeing a Urologist, and being treated, I thought I was fine. Now maybe in the last 6 to 8 mnths, I have had chronic pain in my shoulders and upper back. Perfectly described as intense burning, aches, and some times numbness when I try to rub on the areas. The only relief is at night when I’m laying certain ways. Sitting is the worst. Anyone have the same thing? What to do?

I have had this pain for over five years and I desparatly want my life back the pain started off feeling like a sore muscle I figured would go away instead only gets worse. The pain rasnges from my neck to mid back and is only on my right side it starts at my spine and goes under my shoulder blade all of the dr s that I have seen do not seem to have an answer for me all of the tests have come back normal. I have been on pain med for five years and am not able to live a somewhat normal lefe without them and I have four children who need me to be able to be a mother who is not in constant pain it hurts and I really want help and to get off these med so I can live a normal life without having to wait for a pain killer to kick in first. the pain goes from my spine but it only affects my right side and is severe enough to where I can not even play catch with my children without my medicine that helps but does nothing to treat my pain and it is like having two broken legs and having to use crutches because I still wake up every single morning in pain and the pain never goes away, it never gets better it is just a constant pain that is improved by taking pain med. I have been through two years of physical therepy 3 times a week, two years of chiropractic 2 times a week and about 2 months of accupuncture treatments and nothing has made any difference. In addition I have had numerous cortisone injections, epidural steroid injections to the spine and nothing helps please somebody help me.I am onlt 26 years old and I feel like I am 80

That works for the shoulder and everithing i want a home treatment pill or something that will help. Thanks For The Help…