Compensation for Internal Injuries in Broken Arrow, OK
Few injury categories combine the deceptive quiet of internal injuries with their potential for catastrophic outcomes. External examination may reveal nothing. Symptoms can be delayed by hours, days, or even weeks. Delayed treatment can result in death. A Broken Arrow internal injury attorney understands the medical reality of internal injuries.
Why Internal Injuries Are Different
Hidden Damage Without Obvious External Signs
Internal injuries can occur with minimal external evidence. This makes them uniquely dangerous because they’re easily missed.
Internal organs can sustain damage while showing minimal external signs.
Delayed Symptom Onset
Internal bleeding may not produce immediate symptoms. Symptoms may emerge on different timelines than external injuries.
Delayed symptom development:
- Necessitates prompt medical assessment
- Complicates the link between accident and injury
- Permits internal injuries to develop critically before recognition
Hidden Damage Affects Vital Systems
Internal trauma impacts essential bodily systems:
- Circulatory function
- The lungs and breathing
- Digestion
- Kidneys and urinary tract
- Reproductive systems
- Endocrine function
Internal Injuries Can Be Life-Threatening
Many internal injuries can cause death if not promptly treated. Internal injuries can become rapidly fatal.
Common Internal Injuries
Internal Bleeding (Hemorrhage)
Internal bleeding carries significant risk.
Internal bleeding can develop in:
- Chest bleeding
- Bleeding in the abdomen
- Retroperitoneal bleeding
- Within organs
- Within the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
- Between layers of organs
Internal bleeding without medical intervention results in shock from blood loss with potentially fatal consequences.
Solid Organ Injuries
Splenic Injuries
The spleen is frequently injured. Splenic rupture produces serious bleeding. Frequently requires splenectomy.
Liver Injuries
Liver injuries are common in significant trauma. Liver damage can cause massive internal bleeding.
Kidney Injuries
Kidney damage can range from contusions to complete rupture. Affects renal function long-term.
Pancreatic Injuries
Pancreatic trauma can be challenging to identify. Can cause severe complications.
Hollow Organ Injuries
Bowel Perforations
Tears in the intestines lead to severe infection. These need emergency surgery.
Stomach Injuries
Gastric injury is rare but dangerous.
Bladder Injuries
Bladder rupture can occur in pelvic trauma.
Chest Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion
Pulmonary contusion affects respiratory function.
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space is potentially fatal.
Hemothorax
Bleeding into the pleural space requires emergency drainage.
Cardiac Injuries
Cardiac injury leads to cardiac complications. Cardiac tamponade (blood compressing the heart) requires immediate intervention.
Aortic Injury
Aortic injury is among the most lethal injuries.
Diaphragm Injuries
Diaphragm damage allows abdominal contents to enter the chest.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic trauma can involve bone fractures combined with internal organ damage.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto accidents produce many internal injuries.
The forces in vehicle crashes transfer to internal organs, generating various injury types.
Falls
Falls from height can produce significant internal injuries.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Vehicle strikes of pedestrians and cyclists often produce internal injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Construction site accidents generate internal damage.
Crush Injuries
Crushing trauma produce catastrophic internal injuries.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating injuries generate organ-specific damage.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Recreational injuries can cause internal injuries.
Medical Negligence
Surgical complications can cause internal injuries.
Defective Products
Equipment failures can cause internal injuries.
Why Internal Injury Cases Get Minimized
“It Doesn’t Look That Bad”
Without obvious external damage, insurers minimize the harm.
This skepticism persists.
“The Other Driver Was Fine”
Other parties’ apparent intact condition gets used against the plaintiff.
Delayed Diagnosis
Late diagnoses create causation challenges.
Defense leverages the injury could have been caused by something other than the accident.
Lack of Public Awareness
People don’t understand the delayed onset issue makes insurance arguments effective.
How Internal Injury Cases Get Built
Immediate Medical Documentation
Initial emergency care establish the medical case from the start.
Imaging Studies
Diagnostic imaging document internal injuries.
Surgical Findings
Operative findings establish the severity of internal damage.
Treating Physician Testimony
Treating physicians establish the medical foundation.
Medical Records of Delayed Diagnoses
For injuries diagnosed days or weeks after the accident, Records linking the accident to the diagnosis become critical.
Expert Medical Testimony
Specialty medical experts establish causation.
Patient Symptom Tracking
Documentation of the development of symptoms builds the timeline.
Damages in Internal Injury Cases
Internal injury damages can be substantial include:
- Trauma center treatment
- Operating costs
- Inpatient care
- Intensive care unit costs
- Future surgical costs
- Continuing care
- Lost wages
- Permanent occupational limitations
- Pain and suffering
- Effects on relationships
- Compensation for fatal cases
- Exemplary damages where systemic safety failures contributed
Long-Term Consequences
Internal injuries often have long-term consequences:
Permanent Organ Damage
Organs that don’t fully recover generate lasting issues.
Splenectomy Consequences
Splenectomy increases susceptibility to certain infections.
Kidney Function Issues
Kidney damage can result in chronic kidney disease.
Digestive Complications
Bowel injuries may result in chronic digestive problems.
Reproductive Complications
Internal injuries involving reproductive organs cause reproductive complications.
Chronic Pain
Long-term pain syndromes require lifelong management.
Common Insurance Defenses
“The Injury Wasn’t Caused by the Accident”
The main causation defense. Causation challenges.
“The Injury Was Pre-Existing”
Pre-existing condition defenses are used by defense. The aggravation rule applies.
“Plaintiff Delayed Treatment”
Defense argues plaintiff didn’t seek medical care quickly enough. This argument is paradoxical because internal injuries often don’t produce immediate symptoms given the delayed-onset nature of internal injuries.
“The Severity Is Exaggerated”
“The injury wasn’t that bad”.
“Comparative Fault”
“You contributed too”.
Critical Steps After an Incident That May Cause Internal Injuries
Get Emergency Medical Attention Immediately
Even when you feel fine, emergency medical care is essential.
Symptoms can develop later.
Don’t Refuse Medical Transport
Even if you feel okay, accepting medical transport allows for proper evaluation.
Allow Comprehensive Trauma Evaluation
Trauma evaluations include imaging to detect internal injuries.
Don’t Refuse Imaging
Comprehensive imaging studies can detect internal injuries that aren’t yet symptomatic.
Document All Symptoms Over Time
Symptoms emerge over time. Document any new symptoms when they emerge.
Track Vital Signs
For diagnosed internal injuries, track concerning developments: changes in bowel/bladder function.
Don’t Sign Releases Quickly
Carriers want quick resolution. The full extent of internal injury damages often isn’t apparent for months.
Attorney Costs
Counsel experienced with internal injury claims charge no upfront fees. Specialty expertise costs paid by counsel.
Move Quickly
These cases need quick attention.
Comprehensive medical care matters significantly. Continued documentation of evolving symptoms is essential.
The legal time limit applies regardless.
Connecting with a Broken Arrow internal injury attorney quickly ensures comprehensive documentation.