Houston Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Injury Lawyer Near Me

If you’re facing the challenges of a Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) injury in Houston, understanding your legal options is crucial. TMJ injuries can significantly impact your daily life, affecting your ability to speak, eat, sleep, and even breathe comfortably. These complex injuries often require specialized knowledge for effective legal representation.

Whether your TMJ injury is the result of an accident, negligence, or other circumstances, securing a knowledgeable legal advocate is essential for navigating the claims process and ensuring your rights are protected.

For guidance and support, reach out to The Callahan Law Firm, where our commitment is to provide you with the personalized attention and dedicated representation you deserve.

What is the TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint?

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is a critical component of your body, acting as the hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, located just in front of each ear. This joint enables the mobility needed for essential activities like talking, chewing, and yawning.

Understanding the TMJ’s role is the first step in recognizing the complexities of injuries affecting this area, which can disrupt your life’s most basic functions. Injuries to the TMJ can stem from various causes, including car accidents, work accidents, overuse, or even stress, leading to pain and discomfort that goes beyond mere physical symptoms.

Recognizing these challenges, our goal is to extend a helping hand, offering support and legal advice to help you navigate your journey toward healing and compensation.

Common TMJ Injuries

TMJ injuries that are commonly encountered in personal injury cases can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. These injuries often require medical attention and may have long-term consequences.

Fracture: A fracture of the TMJ can occur when a break occurs in the jawbone near the joint or in the bones that constitute the joint itself. This injury is usually the result of a strong direct impact and can lead to severe pain, difficulty moving the jaw, and, in some cases, a change in jaw alignment.
Articular Disc Displacement: The articular disc acts as a cushion between the skull and the lower jaw. Displacement or dislocation of this disc can occur due to trauma or degeneration, leading to pain, clicking or popping noises, and restricted movement of the jaw.
Dislocation: This injury involves the lower jaw moving out of its usual position in the TMJ. It can result in an inability to close the mouth properly and often requires medical intervention to realign the jaw.

Recognizing the types and causes of these injuries will help you better determine when to contact a lawyer for help with a personal injury claim.

Causes of TMJ Injuries Leading to Personal Injury Cases

TMJ injuries leading personal injury cases can have a variety of causes:

Car Accidents: High-impact collisions can cause direct trauma to the jaw and face, leading to fractures, disc displacement, and other TMJ injuries.
Work Accidents: Trauma to the face or head as a result of a fall or otherwise sudden forceful impact can result in TMJ injuries.
Blows to the Jaw or Face: Physical altercations, sports injuries, or accidental falls that impact the jaw or face can result in TMJ injuries, including fractures and dislocations.
Dental Procedures: Some dental or orthodontic procedures that require extended opening of the mouth or exert pressure on the jaw may lead to TMJ disorders.
Whiplash: Sudden movements of the head and neck, like those experienced in vehicle accidents, can indirectly damage the TMJ, even if the jaw itself is not directly impacted.

Identifying the type and cause of a TMJ injury is crucial in personal injury cases to ensure appropriate treatment is administered and to accurately attribute liability.

How An Auto Accident Can Affect The Jaw Joint?

Jaw injuries frequently occur as an unexpected consequence of car accidents, particularly those involving rear-end impacts and side-impacts. The forceful motion of your skull and/or neck during such incidents, whether from contact with an airbag, dashboard, or window, can lead to significant TMJ injuries.

This kind of injury often stems from the rapid forward and backward or side to side jerking of the head and neck, a movement commonly associated with whiplash. While neck discomfort and restricted movement are typical signs of whiplash, the condition can also result in more severe complications like jaw dislocation, sprains, or fractures. Although some jaw injuries may appear minor at first, any damage to the jawbone from a car accident can potentially lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In addition, striking one’s head on a side window, front window, steering wheel or dashboard can cause TMJ trauma and permanent injury.

This highlights the importance of promptly seeking medical attention and the help of a car accident lawyer if you notice any jaw pain following an accident, to prevent any further complications.

What about Ear Pain from Car Accidents?

Just as the jaw bone plays a pivotal role in our ability to speak, chew and eat, the inner ear is essential for hearing and balance. Both are intricate structures that, despite their strength, are vulnerable to damage, especially in the event of car accidents or other forms of blunt-force trauma.

In the chaos of a car accident, objects like airbags or flying debris can strike the ear, leading to significant pressure on both the ear canal and the inner ear itself. This pressure can result in various symptoms that indicate ear injury, including:

Nausea
Pain in the ear
Dizziness
Hearing difficulties
A sensation of blockage within the ear
Tinnitus, or a persistent ringing in the ears

Tinnitus and other ear-related symptoms can also result from whiplash, can be a symptom of a traumatic brain injury, and be caused by the same mechanism that often results in TMJ injuries. The sudden, forceful movement of the head and neck can impact not only the jaw structures but also the delicate mechanisms within the ear. While potentially less obvious than other injuries following a car accident, ear trauma is no less serious and requires immediate medical evaluation.

Symptoms of TMJ Injuries

TMJ injuries can manifest through a variety of symptoms, emphasizing the need for medical evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Common symptoms include:

Pain or tenderness in the jaw
Difficulty in chewing or discomfort while chewing
Aching pain in and around your ear
Difficulty in opening or closing the mouth fully
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth

Given the complexity of TMJ disorders and the potential for these conditions to cause long-term issues, seeking medical attention is crucial. A healthcare professional can provide a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.

What To Do If You’re Experiencing Possible TMJ Pain

If you suspect TMJ pain after a crash, promptly seeking medical attention is essential, even without visible injuries. Your assessment may include X-rays, MRI, and CT scans to diagnose the condition accurately. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment and avoiding long-term issues, while detailed medical documentation is vital for any compensation claims.

However, the cost of these necessary diagnostic tests highlights the importance of legal representation. An attorney can assist in securing compensation to cover these expenses, ensuring you’re not burdened by the financial impact of your injury. Prompt action in both medical and legal fronts is key to managing TMJ pain effectively. Contact The Callahan Law Firm as soon as possible after your injury so we can help you get justice and the compensation you deserve.

TMJ Injury Treatment Options

Doctors employ a range of therapies and non-invasive practices to treat TMJ injuries, tailored to the individual’s specific condition and severity of symptoms. Treatment options include:

Medications: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen jaw muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Oral Splints or Mouth Guards: Devices worn to reduce jaw clenching and teeth grinding, helping to alleviate TMJ pain.
Stress Management Techniques: Counseling or practices such as biofeedback to help manage stress-related jaw tension.
Dietary Changes: Switching to soft foods to minimize jaw strain during healing.

While effective, these treatments can accumulate significant costs over time, especially when long-term therapy is necessary. And unfortunately, when conservative care does not correct the problem then surgery may be required. This underscores the importance of receiving appropriate compensation for medical expenses and the value of having legal support to navigate insurance claims and secure the compensation needed to cover treatment costs.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

A personal injury lawyer experienced in TMJ injury cases can be instrumental in your recovery and legal journey, offering several key benefits:

Legal Knowledge: Their deep understanding of TMJ injuries ensures your case is approached with the requisite attention, leading to more informed and strategic legal action.
Maximum Compensation: They are adept at negotiating and fighting for the fullest possible compensation for your injuries, including coverage for medical treatments, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical impairment and potentially more. This ensures you have the financial support needed for your recovery.
Personalized Attention and Support: Offering a tailored approach to each case, they ensure that your specific circumstances are fully considered, providing personalized advice and support throughout the legal process.
Stress Reduction: Navigating the legal aspects of your injury can be overwhelming; having an experienced lawyer takes this burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Choosing The Callahan Law Firm for your TMJ injury case means aligning with a dedicated team that brings experience and knowledge to your situation but also prioritizes your recovery and legal success. With our proven track record in personal injury law, particularly with TMJ cases, The Callahan Law Firm stands ready to offer personalized support and a commitment to securing the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Contact The Callahan Law Firm – a Local TMJ Injury Lawyer Near Houston

Working with a local personal injury lawyer, such as The Callahan Law Firm, offers several distinct advantages for individuals in the Houston area facing TMJ issues due to accidents or other causes. Here’s why choosing a local expert like Callahan can be particularly beneficial:

Local Legal Knowledge: The Callahan Law Firm possesses a deep understanding of Texas laws and regulations, particularly those relevant to personal injury and TMJ cases that occur in Houston and throughout the state of Texas. Our familiarity with legal nuances ensures that your case is handled with the most current and applicable legal strategies.
Knowledge of Houston Courts: Having a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the local court system can be a significant advantage. Our experience with Houston’s courts and judges means we’re well-equipped to navigate the legal process efficiently, which can lead to a quicker resolution of your case for an amount acceptable to you.
Convenience for Meetings and Updates: The logistical ease of having your lawyer nearby cannot be overstated. Regular face-to-face meetings are more manageable, facilitating better communication and allowing for more timely updates on your case’s progress.

If you’re experiencing TMJ pain due to an accident or injury in Houston, it’s essential to choose a local attorney who understands your community’s nuances and legal landscape. The Callahan Law Firm offers a no-cost consultation to discuss your next steps.

FAQ

Q: How to prove that my TMJ injury was directly caused by the car accident I was in?

To prove a direct link between your TMJ injury and the car accident, gather evidence such as medical records, expert testimony from healthcare providers, and any accident reports that detail the impact and injuries sustained.

Q: What kind of compensation can I expect for a TMJ injury in Houston, considering my medical bills and lost wages?

Compensation for a TMJ injury in Houston may cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, future medical treatments, and potentially more depending on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life.

Q: Can I still file a claim for my TMJ injury if it was diagnosed months after the initial incident?

Yes, you can still file a claim for a TMJ injury diagnosed months after the incident, as long as you file within Texas’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which in a case based on negligence is generally two years from the date of the accident. (There are exceptions to this rule, so always reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss the deadline.)

Q: Are there specific laws in Houston that affect TMJ injury cases differently from other personal injury claims?

In Houston, TMJ injury claims are subject to the same overarching personal injury laws of Texas. However, TMJ injuries can be complicated to diagnose and link to the accident, making it essential to reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.