Torn Bicep Lawsuit Settlement Amounts for Car Accident Claims

This page discusses injury claims related to bicep injuries resulting from car accidents and other incidents. Our legal team examines the causes of these injuries and explores the typical compensation amounts awarded by juries or settled for torn bicep injuries.

About Bicep Tear Injuries

The biceps are muscles located on the front of the upper arm responsible for bending the forearm at the elbow. The bicep is connected to bones by three tendons. One tendon extends from the shoulder’s outer side, attaching the bicep to the top of the shoulder socket. A second tendon secures the bicep to the inner side of the shoulder socket on the shoulder blade (scapula). Finally, a third tendon links the bicep to the lower arm bone (radius) at the elbow.

These tendons are dense, fibrous strips of tissue. A bicep tear happens when one of these tendons is partially or completely torn away from the bone. This type of injury can occur either at the tendon connection at the elbow or at either of the two connections to the shoulder. Bicep tears can vary in severity.

Bicep Tears in Car Accidents

Our lawyers see a bicep tear in a car accident more often than people think. Bicep tears can occur in car accidents due to the sudden and intense forces exerted on the body during impact. Here are some of the ways our car accident lawyers have seen these injuries happen in car crashes:

Bracing for Impact: In a car accident, a person may instinctively grip the steering wheel or brace themselves against a surface, using their arms to prepare for the collision. This sudden, forceful contraction of the muscles, combined with the impact of the crash, can cause the bicep tendon to tear, especially if the force is too great for the muscle to handle.
Airbag Deployment: Airbags deploy with significant force to protect the driver and passengers. If an individual’s arm is in the path of the deploying airbag, the violent motion and pressure can cause the bicep tendon to overstretch or partially detach, resulting in a tear.
Hyperextension: During a car crash, the body can be thrown violently in different directions. If the arm is hyperextended during the impact (meaning it stretches beyond its normal range of motion), it often leads to a strain or tear in the bicep tendon as the arm is forcefully pulled or twisted.
Seatbelt Restraint: The restraining force of the seatbelt, especially if the arm or shoulder is positioned awkwardly, can cause muscle injuries in the upper body. The sudden force that stops the forward momentum of the body sometimes pulls on the arm or shoulder in a way that results in a bicep tear.
Direct Trauma: If the arm strikes a hard object inside the vehicle, such as the door or dashboard, the direct impact can cause damage to the bicep tendon, leading to a tear.

Types and Grades of Bicep Tears

There are different types of bicep tears depending on which tendon attachment is strained or torn:

Proximal Biceps Tear (Shoulder): This occurs when one of the two tendons attaching the bicep to the shoulder is torn or strained. The tendon along the outside of the shoulder attaching to the top of the shoulder socket (“long head” tendon) is more prone to tearing than the tendon on the inside of the shoulder (“short head” tendon).

Distal Biceps Tear (Elbow): This type of tear happens when the strain or tear occurs in the tendon connecting the bicep to the forearm at the elbow. It is less common and typically occurs when the extended elbow experiences significant force (such as from a collapsing dashboard in a head-on auto accident).

A torn bicep injury is categorized into one of three grades based on the severity of tendon damage and other physical factors.

Grade 1:

A Grade 1 bicep tear, known as a “strain,” happens when the tendon is overstretched but remains attached to the bone. This grade typically results in minimal loss of mobility and strength. If this is your only injury in a car crash, you may have a harder time finding a lawyer. Our law firm is unlikely to take Grade 1 case.

Grade 2:

A Grade 2 bicep tear involves a partial detachment of the tendon from the bone, which means that while the tendon is damaged, it has not been completely severed. This type of injury often results in moderate strength and mobility impairment, as the muscle’s ability to contract and support movement is compromised. Patients with a Grade 2 tear may experience difficulty lifting objects, pain during arm movements, and reduced range of motion.

Treatment for a Grade 2 tear can vary, depending on the extent of the detachment. In many cases, conservative treatments such as physical therapy, rest, and non-surgical interventions are sufficient to restore function. More severe cases may still require surgical repair, especially if the tear impairs daily functioning or significantly limits the patient’s ability to work or participate in physical activities.

Settlement amounts for Grade 2 tears typically fall in the mid-range compared to other bicep injuries. While they do not reach the high levels seen in complete (Grade 3) tears, they still take into account the long-term impacts on mobility, potential lost wages, and the cost of ongoing medical treatment. Depending on the specifics of the injury, including whether surgery is required, settlements for Grade 2 tears can still yield good settlements, especially if the injury leads to chronic pain or functional limitations that affect the plaintiff’s ability to perform job-related tasks.

Grade 3:

A Grade 3 bicep tear, the most severe type, occurs when the tendon fully ruptures or tears away from the bone. This is a pretty brutal injury that results in significant loss of strength and mobility, making everyday tasks difficult or even impossible without surgical intervention.

Due to the complete nature of the tear, surgical repair is almost always required, followed by extensive physical therapy for rehabilitation. The impact of a Grade 3 tear can be long-lasting, sometimes leading to permanent limitations in arm strength or range of motion, even after treatment.

These injuries typically command the highest settlement amounts in personal injury cases because of their severity and the extensive medical care involved. In addition to the immediate costs of surgery and rehabilitation, plaintiffs often face ongoing issues such as chronic pain, reduced earning capacity, and diminished quality of life, all of which factor into the settlement calculation.

Causes of Bicep Tears

A torn bicep can result from either chronic overuse or sudden physical trauma, such as an accident. In auto accidents, the shoulder or arm can be stretched or torn, leading to an acute tear of the biceps at the shoulder (proximal bicep tear). This type of tear commonly affects the long head tendon (on the shoulder’s outside). Biceps tears at the elbow (distal bicep tear) can be caused by auto accidents or workplace injuries involving heavy lifting.

Diagnosis of a Bicep Tear

A torn bicep injury is initially diagnosed by a doctor based on medical history, symptoms, and a physical examination of the arm. However, physical examination alone may not differentiate it from other shoulder and arm injuries like a torn rotator cuff. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor typically orders an X-ray and possibly an MRI. An MRI is essential for determining whether the bicep tear involves complete or partial detachment of the tendon.

Torn Biceps in Auto Accidents

Bicep tendons can sustain damage or tearing in car accidents due to various factors:

Seatbelt Injuries: While wearing a seatbelt is crucial for safety, it can also contribute to bicep injuries. In a collision, the seatbelt may restrain the upper body while the lower arm continues to move forward, potentially causing damage to the bicep tendons.
Sudden Impact: The force generated during a car accident, particularly in front-end or side-impact collisions, can forcefully extend the arm suddenly, leading to overstretching or tearing of the bicep tendons.
Bracing for Impact: In anticipation of a collision, individuals often instinctively tense their muscles and brace themselves. This action can increase the risk of bicep tendon tears due to the sudden muscular contraction.
Airbag Deployment: Airbags deploy rapidly to protect occupants, but the force of deployment can result in injuries. If the driver’s arm is in front of the airbag during deployment, the sudden inflation can cause bicep injuries.

Treatment Options for Bicep Tears

The appropriate treatment for a torn bicep injury depends on the type and severity of the tear.

For Grade 1 or 2 bicep tears, treatment typically involves rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen. In more severe Grade 2 cases, stronger anti-inflammatory medications may be necessary along with physical therapy to aid recovery and restore full range of motion and strength.

In cases of the most serious bicep injuries, surgery may be required, especially if the tendon is completely detached from the bone or if it is more than 50% torn. Distal bicep tears at the elbow often necessitate surgery for optimal recovery.

Surgical treatment involves reattaching the damaged tendon to the bone using techniques that may involve grafting to facilitate tendon tissue regeneration and restore its attachment to the bone.

Settlement Value of Torn Bicep in Personal Injury Case

Settlement amounts in lawsuits involving torn biceps are determined by a range of factors that consider the extent of the injury and its broader impact on the plaintiff’s life. Every case is very different. So, while we are about to make some generalizations, keep in mind that there are a lot of variables that make up settlement amounts that can lead to very different results.

A torn bicep, classified as a Tier II injury due to its moderate severity, can result in settlement payouts generally ranging from $40,000 to $75,000. More most serious cases, such as those requiring surgical repair, can have higher compensation amounts. The settlement value depends heavily on the severity of the tear, with complete tears that necessitate surgery typically commanding higher settlements compared to partial tears that can heal with conservative treatments like physical therapy.

Another crucial factor is the type of treatment the plaintiff undergoes, including surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, as well as the associated medical costs.

But ultimately, pain and suffering is the biggest harm in a torn bicep lawsuits. This includes the long-term physical and emotional toll of the injury.

Here are recent example tort bicep settlement amounts and jury payouts and the story behind the outcome:

Alabama 2024 – $450,000 Verdict: The plaintiff alleged that the sustained permanent injuries, including a left shoulder full thickness rotator cuff tear and a torn bicep injury that required surgery, when a motor vehicle she was operating was rear-ended by a motor vehicle being operated by defendant. It seems likely that more than half of this award was related to the rotator cuff tear.
Connecticut 2024 – $270,043 Verdict: The plaintiff was driving on an interstate when a commercial tractor-trailer, owned by defendant Wal-Mart Transportation LLC, made a sudden turn towards the plaintiff’s lane of travel, causing sheets and chunks of ice from the tractor-trailer’s roof to fall on the plaintiff’s vehicle. The ice reportedly struck the hood and windshield of the plaintiff’s vehicle. The plaintiff claimed that he suffered a right shoulder rotator cuff tear that required surgery and a right torn biceps injury.
California 2024 – $223630 Verdict: Plaintiff said when he attempted to board a bus owned and/or operated by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the bus driver denied him entry, closed the bus doors on his right arm and began to drive away. The plaintiff said he suffered a biceps tear on his right arm after it was caught in the closed bus doors.
Pennsylvania 2023 – $92,302 Verdict: The plaintiff was traveling in the center lane of the interstate, slowing down due to traffic, when the defendant, reportedly driving too fast for the traffic conditions, rear-ended the plaintiff’s vehicle. As a result of the collision, the plaintiff allegedly sustained a tear in the right biceps, a torn rotator cuff, and cervical disc injuries, leading to medical expenses exceeding $20,000.
Pennsylvania 2023 – $200,000 Verdict: A 55-year-old carpenter, sued the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) after injuring his left shoulder while boarding a bus in Philadelphia. The man claimed the bus driver negligently began moving the bus before he had a chance to sit, causing a sudden jerk that led to a biceps tendon tear in his dominant shoulder. Surveillance footage supported his claim that the driver removed his hands from the wheel, allegedly violating safety regulations. Defense lawyers argued that the plaintiff was comparatively negligent by not sitting down promptly and that his injury was due to a spontaneous rupture unrelated to any negligent action by the driver. He underwent two surgeries and physical therapy but testified that the injury left him unable to work as a carpenter or enjoy hobbies like playing guitar. The jury found SEPTA 55% liable and awarded $200,000, reduced to $110,000 due to the plaintiff’s comparative negligence.
North Dakota 2022 – $135,543 Verdict: The plaintiff was attending a social gathering at a friend’s house when the defendant forcefully tackled and threw him to the ground. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit for assault, alleging that he suffered tears to the right bicep and rotator cuff, requiring reconstructive surgery. Determining the settlement amount in this case was challenging due to the intertwined nature of the bicep tear and rotator cuff injury.
Wisconsin 2021 – $77,000 Verdict: The plaintiff, a 55-year-old self-employed truck driver, asserted that he experienced a torn biceps tendon and a rotator cuff tear necessitating surgery, leading to permanent partial mobility impairment, when his tractor-trailer was hit on the front right side. Following a policy limits settlement with the responsible driver, the plaintiff pursued further underinsured motorist (UIM) damages from his own insurance provider.
New York 2020 – $72,371 Verdict: The plaintiff was descending a wooden staircase when it gave way beneath him. In an effort to prevent his fall, he grasped another step, resulting in a right biceps tear that necessitated surgical repair. He filed a lawsuit against the homeowner, claiming she neglected to warn him about the unsafe staircase. The homeowner refuted liability.
Wisconsin 2021 – $150,000 Settlement: A 67-year-old woman was involved in a T-bone collision and sustained tears in her left rotator cuff and bicep. She underwent an arthroscopic procedure with debridement to address the injuries. As a result of the accident, the woman’s left shoulder experienced a five percent partial impairment, leading to strength deficits and limited mobility. The defense acknowledged liability but disputed the link between the accident and the injuries. Ultimately, the case was settled for $150,000.

Contact Us About Your Torn Bicep Case

If you suffered a torn bicep injury in an accident, call our lawyers today for a free consultation at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.