After your recent car accident, you were diagnosed with a SLAP tear—a serious injury to the cartilage in your shoulder joint that often requires surgery and extensive rehabilitation. If you’re wondering what comes next, we’re here to help.
At Kode Law Firm, Seattle personal injury lawyer Preet Kode understands how a SLAP tear can impact every aspect of your daily life. She helps car accident victims pursue the compensation they need to focus on their recovery without financial stress.
What Is a SLAP Tear?
A SLAP tear occurs when the ring of cartilage that surrounds your shoulder socket, called the labrum, is damaged. The labrum helps keep your arm bone securely in the shoulder socket while allowing for smooth movement. SLAP stands for Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior.
In car accidents, SLAP tears typically happen when your arm is outstretched during impact, such as bracing against the steering wheel or dashboard. The force of the collision can cause the labrum to tear away from the bone.
Common symptoms of a SLAP tear include deep shoulder pain, weakness, reduced range of motion, and a catching or locking sensation when moving your arm. Some people also experience pain when lying on the affected shoulder.
Without proper medical treatment, a SLAP tear can lead to chronic shoulder instability and accelerated arthritis. Most SLAP tears require arthroscopic surgery to repair the damaged tissue, followed by several months of physical therapy.
Different Types of SLAP Tears
Medical professionals classify SLAP tears into four main types based on the location and severity of the injury:
- Type I SLAP tears involve fraying of the labral edge but the labrum remains firmly attached to the bone. These injuries may respond well to conservative treatment like physical therapy.
- Type II SLAP tears, the most common type, occur when the superior labrum and biceps tendon detach from the glenoid rim. These typically require surgical intervention for proper healing.
- Type III SLAP tears present as bucket-handle tears of the superior labrum while the biceps tendon attachment remains intact. The torn labral tissue can catch in the joint, causing mechanical symptoms.
- Type IV SLAP tears extend into the biceps tendon and usually require surgical repair to restore shoulder stability and function.
How This Type of Car Accident Shoulder Injury Impacts Daily Activities
A SLAP tear from a car accident can significantly impact your ability to perform routine tasks. Many people with this type of injury report difficulty with:
- Reaching overhead to grab items from high shelves or cabinets
- Lifting and carrying groceries or other moderately heavy objects
- Performing work duties that require arm movement or lifting
- Participating in recreational activities and exercise
- Caring for children or pets that need to be lifted
- Getting proper sleep due to shoulder pain
These limitations often lead to reduced independence and may require temporary assistance with daily activities during recovery. For example, a parent with young children may require additional childcare assistance as well as time away from work while the injury heals.
Documenting Your SLAP Tear
Proper documentation strengthens your personal injury claim after suffering a SLAP tear in a Seattle car accident. At Kode Law, we recommend that you save all medical records, including:
- Emergency room visit notes
- Diagnostic imaging results (MRI, CT scan, X-rays)
- Surgical records
- Physical therapy evaluations and progress notes
- Prescriptions and medication records
- Medical bills
It’s also smart to keep a daily pain journal describing how the injury affects your activities. Your entries don’t need to be extremely detailed, but you should note missed work days, canceled plans, and daily tasks you can no longer perform independently.
Seeking Compensation for Your SLAP Tear Injury
A personal injury claim for a SLAP tear may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, insurance companies often try to minimize SLAP tear claims by arguing the injury existed before the accident or isn't as severe as claimed.
To protect your right to fair compensation, we recommend that you contact Seattle personal injury lawyer Preet Kode as soon as possible to start building a case that proves the connection between your car accident and SLAP tear injury. Washington State has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but acting quickly makes it easier to gather the evidence you need to build the strongest possible claim.
