Internal Injury
Additional Information
Helping Those Suffering from Damaged Organs
Internal injuries are among some of the most dangerous kinds of injuries that you suffer as a result of a traumatic event. It’s possible to bleed out without even realizing it, have difficulties breathing for the rest of your life, or even fall into a coma if your injuries were not treated quickly enough. Unfortunately, this sort of damage can be caused by many kinds of accidents and is often a result of an act of negligence, meaning that you are left to pay for someone else’s actions.
If you have suffered internal damage that was someone else’s fault, you deserve both justice and compensation. The Husband & Wife Law Team wants you to be able to focus on proper healing and recovery while we do the heavy lifting to get you the settlement you deserve. Call us to discuss your legal options.
What Are Types of Internal Damage?
Internal injuries are usually sorted into one of two categories. These types are determined by how the injury was caused and what sections of your body was hurt. Both types are incredibly dangerous and should be taken seriously. If you suspect you have suffered any kind of internal injury, seek medical attention at once.
Blunt: The first kind of internal damage is blunt force trauma. This kind of injury means that your skin has not been ripped, cut, or broken, but you are still suffering from a wound. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, and the force of the impact slammed you against your steering wheel, then you are unlikely to have any lacerations from the crash. But the force of the hit could still break or fracture a rib, causing it to cut into a lung. While on the outside you make have nothing worse than some bruising, internally you are severely injured.
Penetrating: A penetrating injury means that you have suffered external injuries that led to internal injuries. If, during your car accident, shattered glass caused lacerations across your abdomen, and those lacerations went deep enough to injure your kidneys, that would then be classified as a penetrating internal injury.
What Are Common Causes of Internal Injuries?
Internal damage is often catastrophic and can leave you with issues that last a lifetime. While no one can be completely safe at all times, it is still a good idea to be aware of the common causes of internal injuries, so that you can be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations in the future. The most common situations that cause internal damage include:
Violent attacks
Internal injuries can be difficult to detect at first, as there is often no immediate indicator of a wound. That is why, if you have been involved in a physically traumatic accident or attack, you should always seek out medical assistance, even if you do not initially feel or look hurt.
What Are the Most Impacted Areas of the Body?
When you suffer an accident, an attack, or a fall, there are countless ways in which you can become injured. The different organs and areas of your body all have different risks associated with them when hurt or wounded. Some of the most commonly injured areas are:
Lungs: We all know that lungs are vital to our survival. These organs are what allow us to breathe and supply oxygen to our blood. They are protected by our ribcage, which means that it takes a lot of force to damage them. But our ribs can be broken, and when they are, there is the risk that of puncturing a lung, which can make it difficult, if not impossible, to breathe.
Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a thin muscle that rests below our lungs and helps regulate our breathing. However, it can rupture during traumatic accidents. This impacts your ability to breathe properly.
Ribs: Your ribs play an important role in protecting some of our most important organs, as well as giving your chest support and shape. When the ribcage breaks, it can cut through organs, rupture blood vessels, and injure muscles.
Blood vessels: It’s incredibly common for blood vessels to rupture when you suffer from internal injuries. During accidents, falls, and attacks, they twist and stretch, eventually becoming torn. When this happens, it causes internal bleeding. Internal bleeding can be difficult to detect and is life-threatening if not treated immediately. Often times, surgery is needed just to determine where the tear is.
Heart: Your heart, like your lungs, is protected by your ribcage. It plays a vital role in your body’s ability to function. The heart pumps blood throughout the body, supplying your organs and muscles with nutrients and oxygen. There is a chance that a broken rib can puncture your heart or tear an aorta, thus pumping blood into your chest.
Kidneys: Your kidneys are located in your lower abdomen and have no protection from bones in the case of blunt force trauma. This means that they take all of an impact, so it is incredibly common for them to become injured. While an injured kidney is not as immediately life-threatening as a punctured lung or heart, if it is not treated properly then it can lead to complications down the road.
Liver: Your liver is only partially protected by your ribcage. If you sustain a hard blow to your midsection, it’s likely that your liver will become damaged. Thankfully, livers have an incredible ability to regrow themselves when injured, but it is still likely you will need medical assistance to fully heal.
No matter which parts of your body suffered from your accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s actions or negligence. Internal injuries are serious, and can often result in high medical bills, a long recovery time, and intense pain. If you have suffered internal damage because someone else made a bad decision, you should seek an experienced internal organ injury lawyer who can help you get the settlement that you deserve.
What Are Symptoms of Internal Damage?
Like we’ve said in the sections above, it can be difficult to immediately notice internal injuries. Unlike with cuts, broken bones, and abrasions, there is often no clear indicator that something is wrong. That is why you should be aware of the symptoms of internal injuries and seek help if you suspect you may have suffered internal damage. Some of the most common symptoms are:
Sweaty and cold skin
Extreme abdominal pain
Stiffened abdomen
Low blood pressure
Loss on consciousness
Nausea and vomiting
Bloody urine or stool
Headaches
Stiffened neck
Difficulty breathing
Confusion
Lightheadedness
Even if you are suffering from severe internal injuries, you may not experience all of these symptoms. That is why a medical opinion is so important. A medical professional has the tools and knowledge to determine what you may be suffering from. Never fear getting a second or even third opinion.
Organ Injury Attorneys That Want to Help
At The Husband & Wife Law Team, we’ve seen how devastating internal injuries can be, and how often victims are left feeling as though they have no options and are trapped in their medical debt and suffering. If you are dealing with internal damage caused by an act of negligence, then it’s likely that you feel trapped too. Don’t let yourself pay for someone else’s mistakes. Call our firm and find out what our personal injury attorneys can do for you and your case.