Bonney Lake Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Attorney

What Is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Some of the most painful injuries after a car accident are not the ones that show up right away. Thoracic outlet syndrome is one of them. It often develops over a period of days or weeks, and its symptoms overlap with other conditions, meaning injured people are frequently bounced from doctor to doctor before they finally receive a diagnosis. 

Thoracic outlet syndrome, or TOS, refers to a group of disorders that cause pain and other symptoms in the upper body. The thoracic outlet is a narrow space between the collarbone and the first rib, where a bundle of nerves, veins, and arteries known as the brachial plexus passes through. When those nerves or blood vessels become compressed, the result can be lasting pain, numbness, and weakness that interfere with work and daily life. 

If you developed thoracic outlet syndrome because of another person’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation. 

Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome is generally divided into three types: 

1. Neurogenic TOS is the most common. It happens when the brachial plexus, the nerves leading from the neck to the arm, is compressed. 
2. Venous TOS occurs when a vein is compressed.
3. Arterial TOS is the rarest and potentially most serious, and occurs when the main blood vessel supplying the arm is compressed.

Both venous and arterial TOS involve compression of blood vessels rather than nerves, so doctors often group them under the term vascular thoracic outlet syndrome.

Common Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms affect the neck, upper chest, shoulder, arm, or hand, and pain may worsen when the arms are lifted. Common symptoms include: 

• Pain or numbness in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand
• Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in the fingers
• Weakness in the arm or hand
• Swelling or heaviness in the arm, often with discoloration in venous cases
• Coldness in the affected hand or fingers

Why Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claims Are Challenging

Thoracic outlet syndrome cases are among the more difficult personal injury claims to pursue because the condition is hard to diagnose and its symptoms overlap with other injuries, such as cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck) or carpal tunnel syndrome. 

The central battleground in most TOS claims is causation. Insurance companies often argue that something other than the crash, such as a pre-existing condition or a repetitive-motion activity, like repeated overhead lifting, is responsible for the compression. Overcoming that argument takes thorough medical evidence and, in many cases, testimony from physicians who specialize in the condition.

This is where experienced legal representation matters. Building a strong TOS claim generally involves gathering complete medical records, connecting the diagnosis to the crash, and working with qualified medical experts who can explain how the accident led to the injury. 

Contact Anderson Law | Injury Attorneys Today

A thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis can mean months of physical therapy, lost time at work, and, in some cases, surgery. Compensation in a personal injury claim may account for medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and the pain and limitations the injury causes in daily life.

At Anderson Law Injury Attorneys, we handle the legal side so you can focus on your recovery. That includes investigating how the crash occurred, documenting the full scope of your injury, coordinating with medical providers, and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to advocate for you through litigation. Consultations are free, and you pay no fee unless we win your case. Contact us today to get started.