You were rear-ended at a stoplight and shaken up, but not seriously hurt—or so you thought. Days later, your hand starts tingling. Your shoulder aches and your grip weakens. Over time, the pain worsens, and simple tasks become impossible. The diagnosis: neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, or NTOS. Now you're not just dealing with pain—you’re facing missed work, mounting bills, and uncertainty about your future.
You need a St. Louis car accident lawyer with experience handling complex injury claims. At Bollwerk & Associates, we understand how neurogenic TOS affects the body, your daily life, and your right to compensation after an auto collision. Let us help you protect your legal rights and get the resources you need to face the future with confidence.
What Is Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (NTOS)?
Neurogenic TOS is the most common form of thoracic outlet syndrome. It happens when nerves in the brachial plexus (a bundle of nerves near your neck and shoulder) become compressed or irritated.
Car accidents—especially those involving whiplash, seat belt injuries, or airbag deployment—can trigger neurogenic TOS. Women are more vulnerable to TOS after trauma due to hormonal factors and anatomical differences, but men can also suffer from this debilitating condition.
Common symptoms of neurogenic TOS include:
- Chronic neck, shoulder, and arm pain. This pain can feel dull or sharp and often worsens with activity.
- Tingling and numbness. You may feel pins and needles in your fingers, hand, or forearm.
- Muscle weakness. Grip strength can decrease, making everyday tasks like typing or lifting difficult.
- Limited range of motion. Tightness in your neck or shoulder can restrict how you move your arm.
Unlike fractures or visible injuries, NTOS doesn’t always show up on X-rays or MRIs. That makes it harder to diagnose—and harder to prove in a personal injury case without the right legal support.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Neurogenic TOS?
The thoracic outlet is a narrow space between your collarbone and first rib. Trauma from a car crash can affect this area in several ways:
- Whiplash. A sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck can strain the scalene muscles, compressing the brachial plexus.
- Seat belt trauma. A tight seat belt may save your life but can also bruise or compress the nerves along the collarbone.
- Airbag deployment. The forceful impact of an airbag can jar the neck and shoulder, leading to nerve inflammation or entrapment.
These same forces can also aggravate preexisting thoracic outlet syndrome caused by repetitive overhead motions (common in athletes, hairstylists, or factory workers), poor posture, pregnancy, or previous injuries like clavicle fractures.
Why Insurance Companies Often Dismiss NTOS Claims
Because neurogenic TOS symptoms are mostly subjective (pain, tingling, weakness), insurers may argue that:
- You’re exaggerating or faking the symptoms.
- Your injury is preexisting or unrelated to the crash.
- There’s not enough objective evidence to justify a high settlement.
Even if you have a diagnosis, you’ll likely need to provide extensive documentation—including medical records, physical therapy notes, EMG test results, and sometimes expert testimony—to support your claim. You need a St. Louis personal injury attorney familiar with neurogenic TOS cases to help assemble and present this evidence effectively.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover?
If your NTOS was caused or worsened by a motor vehicle accident, you may be eligible for compensation for:
- Medical expenses. This includes costs for doctor visits, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, medications, and any surgeries or ongoing treatment related to your TOS.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity. If your condition prevents you from working temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to recover the income you’ve lost and compensation for your diminished ability to earn in the future.
- Pain and suffering. This type of non-economic damages covers the physical pain and emotional distress you've endured as a result of your accident-related TOS.
How Bollwerk & Associates Helps Neurogenic TOS Victims
Bollwerk & Associates has helped clients across Missouri hold negligent drivers accountable for complex, hard-to-prove injuries like neurogenic TOS. Here's how we approach these cases:
- We listen carefully. If you’ve been dismissed or misunderstood by doctors or insurers, we make sure your voice is heard.
- We work with medical specialists. We help connect you with professionals who understand TOS and can provide credible support for your claim.
- We challenge the insurance company’s tactics. We know how to counter arguments that your injury is imaginary, exaggerated, or unrelated to the crash.
- We fight for full compensation. Our goal is to secure the resources you need to recover as fully as possible. Most claims are settled out of court through negotiation, but we’re ready to go to trial if that’s what’s needed to protect your rights.
Refer to our client testimonials and case results to learn more about how we’ve helped car accident victims like you recover the compensation they deserve.
