Internal Injury Claims in Owasso, OK
Internal injuries can be hidden killers. There may be no visible damage. Symptom onset is often delayed. And without prompt medical recognition, they can become fatal. A local attorney experienced with internal injury claims knows how to properly document the full scope of internal trauma.
Why Internal Injuries Are Different
Hidden Damage Without Obvious External Signs
Internal injuries can present with only minor visible signs. This makes them particularly dangerous because they can be overlooked.
The body can absorb significant force with limited visible evidence.
Delayed Symptom Onset
Internal bleeding may not produce immediate symptoms. Symptoms can appear over an extended period after the injury.
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 injuries affect critical organ systems:
- Circulatory function
- The respiratory system
- Stomach, intestines, and gastrointestinal function
- The urinary system
- Reproductive function
- Endocrine function
Internal Injuries Can Be Life-Threatening
Internal trauma carries mortality risk. Internal trauma can quickly become life-threatening.
Common Internal Injuries
Internal Bleeding (Hemorrhage)
Internal bleeding is among the most dangerous internal injuries.
Internal bleeding can develop in:
- The chest cavity (hemothorax)
- Abdominal bleeding
- Bleeding behind the abdominal cavity
- Within solid organs (spleen, liver, kidneys)
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Within tissue planes
Internal bleeding without medical intervention results in shock from blood loss and ultimately death.
Solid Organ Injuries
Splenic Injuries
The spleen is frequently injured. Splenic damage produces serious bleeding. Often requires surgical removal of the spleen.
Liver Injuries
Liver injuries are common in significant trauma. Liver damage can cause massive internal bleeding.
Kidney Injuries
Kidney damage spans a spectrum of severity. May cause chronic kidney problems.
Pancreatic Injuries
Pancreatic injuries may be hard to detect initially. Produces serious complications.
Hollow Organ Injuries
Bowel Perforations
Tears in the intestines lead to severe infection. These require immediate surgical intervention.
Stomach Injuries
Stomach rupture is less common but serious.
Bladder Injuries
Bladder injury results from major pelvic force.
Chest Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion
Bruising of the lung can cause significant breathing problems.
Pneumothorax
Collapsed lung can be life-threatening.
Hemothorax
Blood in the chest cavity requires emergency drainage.
Cardiac Injuries
Cardiac contusion leads to cardiac complications. Pericardial fluid compressing the heart is a true emergency.
Aortic Injury
Aortic damage is among the most lethal injuries.
Diaphragm Injuries
Diaphragm damage allows abdominal contents to enter the chest.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic damage can involve combined fracture and internal injury.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes produce many internal injuries.
The forces in vehicle crashes transfer to internal organs, causing both blunt and crushing trauma.
Falls
Falls from height can produce significant internal injuries.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Vulnerable road user impacts generate internal injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Workplace incidents generate internal damage.
Crush Injuries
Crush incidents produce catastrophic internal injuries.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating injuries cause direct internal organ damage.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Athletic activities can cause internal injuries.
Medical Negligence
Medical procedures gone wrong can cause internal injuries.
Defective Products
Defective products can cause internal injuries.
Why Internal Injury Cases Get Minimized
“It Doesn’t Look That Bad”
With minimal external signs, insurance adjusters initially dismiss claims.
This dismissal often persists even after internal injuries are diagnosed.
“The Other Driver Was Fine”
Other parties’ apparent intact condition is exploited by insurers.
Delayed Diagnosis
Delayed diagnoses generate causation disputes.
Defense leverages alternative causes.
Lack of Public Awareness
People don’t understand the delayed onset issue allows insurer minimization.
How Internal Injury Cases Get Built
Immediate Medical Documentation
Initial emergency care provide the foundation.
Imaging Studies
Imaging studies document internal injuries.
Surgical Findings
Operative reports from emergency surgery provide direct documentation.
Treating Physician Testimony
Medical providers support the injury claim.
Medical Records of Delayed Diagnoses
For injuries diagnosed days or weeks after the accident, the medical records establishing the connection matter enormously.
Expert Medical Testimony
Specialty medical experts connect the injury to the accident.
Patient Symptom Tracking
Documentation of the development of symptoms builds the timeline.
Damages in Internal Injury Cases
Recoverable losses include include:
- Emergency medical care
- Major surgical expenses
- Hospitalization
- ICU expenses
- Future surgical costs
- Continuing care
- Past and future income loss
- Permanent occupational limitations
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of consortium
- Exemplary damages where conduct was egregious
Long-Term Consequences
Internal injuries often have long-term consequences:
Permanent Organ Damage
Permanently damaged organs create long-term complications.
Splenectomy Consequences
Removed spleens increases susceptibility to certain infections.
Kidney Function Issues
Kidney function loss can require kidney transplant.
Digestive Complications
Digestive system injuries require ongoing management.
Reproductive Complications
Reproductive injuries cause reproductive complications.
Chronic Pain
Some internal injuries cause chronic pain require lifelong management.
Common Insurance Defenses
“The Injury Wasn’t Caused by the Accident”
The dominant defense in internal injury cases. Defense argues alternative causes for the diagnosed internal injuries.
“The Injury Was Pre-Existing”
Prior medical issues are used by defense. Pre-existing conditions don’t bar recovery.
“Plaintiff Delayed Treatment”
“You should have gone to the hospital sooner”. This defense is problematic given the delayed-onset nature of internal injuries.
“The Severity Is Exaggerated”
Defense disputes the severity of internal injuries.
“Comparative Fault”
Defense pushes shared-fault arguments.
Critical Steps After an Incident That May Cause Internal Injuries
Get Emergency Medical Attention Immediately
Even without visible injuries, emergency medical care is essential.
Initial symptom absence doesn’t mean no injury.
Don’t Refuse Medical Transport
Even without obvious injuries, EMS documentation supports the case.
Allow Comprehensive Trauma Evaluation
Trauma assessments include internal injury screening to find internal trauma.
Don’t Refuse Imaging
CT scans and other imaging can detect internal injuries that aren’t yet symptomatic.
Document All Symptoms Over Time
Symptoms emerge over time. Document any new symptoms as they occur.
Track Vital Signs
For diagnosed internal injuries, track concerning developments: abdominal pain.
Don’t Sign Releases Quickly
Insurance companies push quick settlements. The full extent of internal injury damages often isn’t apparent for months.
Attorney Costs
Lawyers handling these cases earn fees only on recovery. Specialty expertise costs advanced by the firm.
Move Quickly
Internal injury cases require prompt action.
Medical evaluation and documentation builds the case foundation. Continued documentation of evolving symptoms builds the damages case.
Filing deadlines applies regardless.
Engaging counsel right away positions the case for the substantial recovery internal injuries can produce.