*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
The power of an inflating air bag is huge. Airbags are designed to withstand up to 2000 pounds of force. Even though airbags are designed to distribute the force of the impact evenly over the occupant’s upper body, injuries do still occur. Structures of the face, including lips, nose, and temporomandibular joints, are likely targets when at the airbag deploys.
The human jaw is especially vulnerable to impact trauma caused by the exploding airbag. A TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) injury is an injury to one or both of the joints that allow for jaw movement. A TMJ injury can be to the cartilage of the joint (similar to a cartilage injury to the knees) or an injury to the muscles and ligaments that power the movement of the jaw joint (often diagnosed as a myofascial injury).
The TMJ is especially susceptible to injury when the head is turned even slightly instead of facing directly ahead so that the force of the airbag strikes the face at an angle, and the force of the collision causes a contorted movement of the jaw, causing more injury to one side than the other.
Contact the Schmidt & Salita Law Team to speak with a Minneapolis Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation lawyer if you have been injured by an airbag.
Dean Salita is a seasoned Personal Injury lawyer with over 30 years of experience, specializing in workplace injuries and occupational diseases like asbestos-related illnesses. He’s the chair of the Minnesota Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation section and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer with an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Dean is dedicated to providing personal, compassionate legal support to his clients, guiding them through trials and the legal process.
I understand how overwhelming this can be. Let me handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery and getting back to normal.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Dean M. Salita, with more than 30 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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