Between your ribs, you have muscles that move the chest wall and help you breathe. If you hurt these muscles by overextending or tearing them, you can develop pain and could struggle to draw deep breaths.
When you suffer an intercostal muscle strain because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Here’s what you need to know about intercostal muscle strains and how filing a claim for them works.
What Are Intercostal Muscles?
Intercostal muscles are located in the spaces between your ribs. Most people have 12 pairs of ribs, with 11 intercostal spaces on each side of the chest.
You have three layers of these muscles:
- External intercostals: Outer layer
- Internal intercostals: Middle layer
- Innermost intercostals: Deepest layer
These muscles help you breathe by moving and stabilizing your ribs. The external intercostals help expand your chest during inhalation, while the internal and innermost intercostals assist with forced exhalation, such as coughing. Together, these muscles also help support the chest wall and protect the organs beneath it.
What Are the Symptoms of an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
An intercostal muscle strain occurs when one or more of the muscles between your ribs become overstretched or torn. This soft tissue injury can cause pain and discomfort, particularly when moving your upper body or breathing deeply.
Common symptoms include:
- Discomfort when reaching overhead, bending, or twisting
- Sharp rib or chest pain that worsens when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or taking a deep breath
- Soreness when pressing on the injured area
People with intercostal muscle strains may also breathe more shallowly to avoid triggering pain. However, chest pain and difficulty breathing can have other, potentially serious causes, so it is important to seek medical evaluation rather than assume a muscle strain is responsible.
What Causes Intercostal Muscle Strains?
Suddenly rotating the upper body too fast or too far can cause these strains. This can be an issue for those who play golf or tennis.
Direct trauma is another common cause. You can suffer this kind of trauma in a car accident, a slip and fall, or even during an assault.
Additionally, you can sustain these injuries during workplace accidents, especially if you work in the construction industry. Any action that requires repetitive and forceful upper-body movements can lead to tears and overstretching.
How Are Intercostal Muscle Strains Treated?
To treat an intercostal muscle strain, your doctor will typically recommend rest. There may be a number of activities that you’ll need to avoid as the injury heals.
Applying ice may help reduce pain and swelling, while heat may ease muscle stiffness during recovery. A healthcare professional may also recommend appropriate pain relief medication and temporary activity modifications. Mild strains may improve within a few weeks, while more severe injuries can require a longer recovery period.
Legal Action After Suffering an Intercostal Muscle Strain in Atlanta
If another party’s negligence caused your intercostal muscle strain, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Generally, you must establish that the responsible party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused injuries that resulted in compensable damages.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. Certain exceptions may affect the deadline, but missing the applicable filing period can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts.
Contact the Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys at Rafi Law Firm for Help Today
An intercostal muscle strain can cause significant pain, limit daily activities, and make it difficult to work. If your injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Rafi Law Firm helps injured individuals in Atlanta navigate personal injury claims. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys can investigate your accident, gather evidence, evaluate your damages, and handle negotiations with insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Atlanta, GA, contact the personal injury lawyers at Rafi Law Firm today for a free consultation. We proudly serve clients throughout Fulton County and the greater Atlanta metro area in Georgia.
Rafi Law Firm – Atlanta
1776 Peachtree St NW UNIT 423, Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 800-9933
