Soft-Tissue Injuries and Chronic Pain: What Recent Court Cases Reveal About Compensation

July 04, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Soft-tissue injuries and chronic pain may not be visible on an X-ray, but their impact on daily life can be just as serious - if not more - than a broken bone. In recent Ontario personal injury cases, courts are increasingly acknowledging the debilitating effects of these so-called “invisible injuries,” and awarding significant compensation to victims.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident or slip and fall in Ontario and are struggling with ongoing pain, fatigue, or cognitive symptoms, it’s important to understand your rights—and how the legal landscape is evolving in your favour.

At Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law, we help injured individuals build strong, evidence-based claims for soft-tissue injuries and chronic pain. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Soft-Tissue Injuries?

Soft-tissue injuries refer to damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Common examples include:

• Whiplash
• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains
• Contusions
• Back and neck injuries

While some people recover quickly, others experience prolonged symptoms, often developing into chronic pain conditions such as:

• Chronic pain syndrome (CPS)

• Myofascial pain

• Fibromyalgia

• Post-concussion syndrome

These conditions can severely impact a person’s ability to work, care for their family, or enjoy life the way they once did.

What the Courts Are Saying

In recent Ontario court decisions, judges have awarded substantial general damages in chronic pain and soft-tissue injury cases—even in the absence of visible imaging results.

For example, in multiple cases between 2023 and 2025, injured plaintiffs received pain and suffering awards exceeding $225,000 for long-term chronic pain and post-concussive symptoms. These outcomes underscore a growing judicial recognition of how serious these injuries can be when properly documented.

To strengthen your case, it’s essential to have:

1. A consistent medical history

2. Reports from treating doctors and specialists

3. Documentation of how the injury affects your work and daily life

4. Testimony from family, friends, or co-workers confirming your limitations

Our personal injury lawyers work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and functional capacity evaluators to ensure your injury is thoroughly supported by credible evidence.

Challenges With Insurance and Chronic Pain Claims

Unfortunately, many insurance companies in Ontario continue to dispute soft-tissue injuries or downplay their severity. Common tactics include:

• Claiming pre-existing conditions are the true cause

• Arguing symptoms are exaggerated

• Denying that chronic pain is "objectively" proven

This is where a skilled personal injury lawyer can make a major difference. At DDInjuryLaw.com, we know how to push back against biased assessments and ensure that insurers don’t minimize your experience. Our goal is to help you receive fair compensation under Ontario law—whether through settlement or trial.

What Compensation Can You Claim?

In Ontario, soft-tissue and chronic pain injury victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering (non-pecuniary damages)

• Medical and rehabilitation costs

• Lost wages or diminished earning capacity

• Out-of-pocket expenses

• Loss of enjoyment of life

It’s important to act quickly, as personal injury claims are subject to strict limitation periods. Delaying legal action can weaken your case and limit your options.

Trust Deutschmann de Koning to Stand With You

We understand how frustrating it can be to live with chronic pain—especially when others question the legitimacy of your condition. At Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law, we’re here to advocate for you with compassion, clarity, and experience.

Injured in Ontario and struggling with pain that just won’t go away? Let us help. Contactus today for a free consultation and start your path toward fair compensation today.
 

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.