Representing Victims of Catastrophic Accidents
A traumatic car accident or terrifying dog attack is bad enough, but what is even worse is the financial fallout of those injuries. Internal damage, particularly to your organs, is common in such accidents and collisions. Not only can this kind of injury be difficult to detect and diagnose, but it can also prove to be fatal if not treated in time. If you have suffered an internal injury due to someone else’s poor decisions or negligence, then you are likely in a state of shock, unsure of what to do next and how to pay for your mounting medical bills.
Well, we at Tenge Law Firm, LLC want to be the ones to help you down the road of financial recovery. Victims of negligence deserve not just justice, but proper compensation. With one of our experienced personal injury attorneys by your side, you will have a much higher chance of getting the settlement that you need to not just pay off your medical bills, but also take the time needed to truly recover. To get in contact with a compassionate and dedicated Fort Collins internal organ damage attorney, call our firm at (970) 212-4777.
How Internal Damage Happens
While many of our organs are protected by bones, that doesn’t mean they are impervious to damage. After all, we have several organs that are completely unprotected in our abdomen, and our bones can break with enough pressure. Ultimately, any accident that exerts enough force on your body has the potential to cause serious internal damage, both to your organs and your blood vessels.
Common kinds of accidents that can cause internal damage include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bike accidents
- Dog attacks
- Slip-and-falls
- Swimming pool accidents
These accidents can be devastating. Unlike other injuries, such as lacerations or burns, internal injuries may not be immediately noticeable. You may not even realize that an organ was bruised, punctured, or torn until a day or so after it happens when the bruising and pain become more evident. Because these injuries are often not noticeable on the skin, and shock and adrenaline can mask pain, those suffering from internal damage may not seek out medical assistance until the injury has worsened to the point of being an emergency. That is why, after a serious accident, you should always consult with a medical professional about the possibility of an internal injury.
Blunt vs Penetrating Trauma
There are two key kinds of internal injury determined by how the injury was caused. The first is blunt force trauma. This is when the body hits an object with great force, often at a high speed. You would likely see this kind of trauma at a car accident, when the body slams into a steering wheel, or in a fall down a flight of stairs. The intense force behind the collision can easily break bones, bruise organs, and cause internal bleeding. This is the kind of internal damage you need to keep an eye open for, as your injuries may not be evident, besides some bruising on your skin.
The second category, penetrative trauma, is easier to spot as it is caused when a foreign object pierces the body and goes deep enough to cause damage to the organs. You would commonly seek this kind of damage from a dog attack, or when shrapnel, like glass or metal, flies off of a car during a collision. This kind of injury can cause organs to be torn, or even cut in half depending on the size of the object. It can also lead to the victim bleeding out, as the lacerations can be deep and wide. While these injuries are easy to spot, they are often far more deadly than blunt force trauma.
The Different Kinds of Internal Damage
Each of our organs has an intended use, and damage to any could interrupt this use and eventually lead to serious health conditions. Some organ damage is far more fatal than others, but all are potentially deadly. Two of the biggest risks with internal damage is bleeding out and infections. Even if your body can mostly function with the organ damaged, you may still die from blood loss or septic shock. That is why getting a proper examination following an accident is paramount.
Brain: The brain is perhaps the most important organ in our body. As such, it is protected by the skull, which is made up of thick bones. However, those bones can still fracture or even break, leaving the brain exposed and vulnerable. On top of that, if the brain slams against the skull, which often happens during serious auto accidents, the brain can still be bruised and damaged while the skull remains intact. Traumatic brain injuries can vary from concussions to long-term cell damage.
Heart: While your heart is nestled behind your ribs for protection, it can still be injured. In fact, if your ribs break, potentially due to being thrown against the steering wheel, then they could tear open your aorta and causing serious internal bleeding. The heart can also be bruised from blunt force trauma, impacting its ability to pump blood.
Lungs: Like the heart, the lungs are protected by the ribs. If the ribs fracture or break, then the lungs could be punctured. When your lung is ripped or punctuated, it could lead to air quickly leaking from the organ and filling the space between the lungs and your chest. This can prevent you from being able to properly breathe and can cause you to suffocate.
Kidneys: While the kidneys may not seem as obviously important at the heart, brain, or lungs, kidney damage can be devastating to your body. The kidneys help filter out toxins that may be in your food or drinks. When they are damaged, the toxins can remain in your body, causing a dangerous build-up and even lead to serious illnesses.
Abdomen: The abdomen contains several important organs, such as your spleen, pancreas, and large intestines. The abdomen doesn’t contain any protective bones, making these organs particularly susceptible to damage, especially during serious accidents. Seat belts in particular can easily cause bruising and tearing in the abdomen area.
Blood vessels: While blood vessels are not an organ, they are often damaged during serious accidents. Our blood vessels, such as veins and arteries, transport blood and oxygen to organs, muscles, and other tissues. When blood vessels are torn or ripped, it can lead to internal bleeding. This, in turn, can cause you to bleed out. While the blood is staying inside your body, it is not going where it is needed. The brain and other organs need blood to function. Without it, they can quickly suffer cell death.
The Symptoms of Internal Damage
As we have already said, the fact that some internal injuries may not be immediately noticeable makes them incredibly deadly. Accident victims have quickly died from blood loss in the past, because they were unaware that they were even bleeding internally. If you have been involved in a high force accident, then you should keep an eye on your body and your symptoms. While each organ will have its own particular set of symptoms, generally you can look for:
- An intense pain in one section of your body, usually the chest or abdomen
- A lowered pulse
- Extreme nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion or trouble concentrating
- Blood in your urine or stool
- Bruising in an area above your organs
- Weakness
- Ongoing fever
If you notice all or some of these symptoms following an accident, you should seek immediate medical assistance. Internal damage can’t just be walked off. You will likely need surgery, a long stay in the hospital, and several medications in order to properly heal. Without medical assistance, you may die from your injuries.
Call Tenge Law Firm, LLC for Top-Notch Help
As some of the top personal injury attorneys in Fort Collins, we at Tenge Law Firm, LLC have seen just how devastating it can be to suffer internal injuries and how deadly they can be. Even the recovery is difficult, as it may require multiple surgeries, a lengthy stay in the hospital, and countless medications. You don’t deserve to be paying for all of that. If you suffered internal injuries due to someone else’s negligence, then you deserve to be properly compensated. Call our firm at (970) 212-4777 for the legal help that you need.