Compensation for Internal Injuries in Catoosa, OK
Internal injuries can be hidden killers. External examination may reveal nothing. Symptom onset is often delayed. And without prompt medical recognition, they can become fatal. A local attorney experienced with internal injury claims builds cases around the actual extent of harm internal injuries cause.
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 can be overlooked.
Internal organs can sustain damage without producing obvious external trauma.
Delayed Symptom Onset
Internal bleeding can develop over hours. Symptoms may emerge on different timelines than external injuries.
This delayed onset:
- Necessitates prompt medical assessment
- Creates challenges for insurance claims tied to “the obvious moment”
- Permits internal injuries to develop critically before recognition
Hidden Damage Affects Vital Systems
Internal injuries affect critical organ systems:
- Circulatory function
- The lungs and breathing
- Stomach, intestines, and gastrointestinal function
- Kidney function
- Reproductive function
- Hormone-producing organs
Internal Injuries Can Be Life-Threatening
Many internal injuries can cause death if not promptly treated. Internal bleeding, organ damage, and other internal injuries can rapidly progress to fatal conditions.
Common Internal Injuries
Internal Bleeding (Hemorrhage)
Internal bleeding carries significant risk.
Internal hemorrhage can affect:
- Chest bleeding
- The abdominal cavity
- Bleeding behind the abdominal cavity
- Within solid organs (spleen, liver, kidneys)
- Brain bleeding
- Between organ layers
Untreated internal bleeding can cause hypovolemic shock with potentially fatal consequences.
Solid Organ Injuries
Splenic Injuries
The spleen is particularly vulnerable to abdominal trauma. Spleen rupture can cause life-threatening hemorrhage. Often requires surgical removal of the spleen.
Liver Injuries
The liver is the largest solid organ. Hepatic injuries result in major blood loss.
Kidney Injuries
Kidney damage varies in severity. Affects renal function long-term.
Pancreatic Injuries
Pancreatic damage may be hard to detect initially. Leads to severe issues.
Hollow Organ Injuries
Bowel Perforations
Bowel ruptures lead to severe infection. These require immediate surgical intervention.
Stomach Injuries
Stomach perforation is less common but serious.
Bladder Injuries
Bladder rupture results from major pelvic force.
Chest Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion
Pulmonary contusion affects respiratory function.
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax requires emergency treatment.
Hemothorax
Hemothorax needs urgent intervention.
Cardiac Injuries
Heart damage produces cardiac issues. Cardiac tamponade (blood compressing the heart) is life-threatening.
Aortic Injury
Aortic damage is often fatal.
Diaphragm Injuries
Diaphragm rupture produces life-threatening complications.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic trauma can involve combined skeletal and organ damage.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto accidents are leading causes of internal injuries.
Vehicle accident forces affect internal structures, causing both blunt and crushing trauma.
Falls
Falls from height cause internal trauma.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Vehicle strikes of pedestrians and cyclists often produce internal injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Job-related accidents generate internal damage.
Crush Injuries
Crushing trauma cause severe internal damage.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating trauma generate organ-specific damage.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Athletic activities can cause internal injuries.
Medical Negligence
Healthcare-related internal damage 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, claims face skepticism.
This minimization continues despite diagnosis.
“The Other Driver Was Fine”
The fact that others weren’t injured gets used against the plaintiff.
Delayed Diagnosis
Late diagnoses create timing-related challenges.
Insurers claim other potential causes.
Lack of Public Awareness
People don’t understand the delayed onset issue enables defense arguments.
How Internal Injury Cases Get Built
Immediate Medical Documentation
Trauma center evaluation establish the medical case from the start.
Imaging Studies
Diagnostic imaging document internal injuries.
Surgical Findings
Operative findings reveal actual extent of injury.
Treating Physician Testimony
Treating doctors document the medical case.
Medical Records of Delayed Diagnoses
For late-emerging injuries, the medical records establishing the connection matter enormously.
Expert Medical Testimony
Trauma specialists, surgeons, and other expert medical witnesses establish causation.
Patient Symptom Tracking
Symptom documentation supports causation.
Damages in Internal Injury Cases
Recoverable losses include include:
- Emergency medical care
- Operating costs
- Hospitalization
- Critical care costs
- Future surgical costs
- Continuing care
- Earnings affected by injury
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Effects on relationships
- Wrongful death and survivor damages
- Exemplary damages where conduct was egregious
Long-Term Consequences
Internal injuries often have long-term consequences:
Permanent Organ Damage
Removed or significantly damaged organs create long-term complications.
Splenectomy Consequences
Loss of the spleen requires lifelong vaccinations and precautions.
Kidney Function Issues
Kidney function loss can result in chronic kidney disease.
Digestive Complications
Bowel injuries may result in chronic digestive problems.
Reproductive Complications
Reproductive injuries produce reproductive consequences.
Chronic Pain
Some internal injuries cause chronic pain create chronic pain conditions.
Common Insurance Defenses
“The Injury Wasn’t Caused by the Accident”
The main causation defense. “Something else caused this”.
“The Injury Was Pre-Existing”
Prior medical issues get leveraged. Pre-existing conditions don’t bar recovery.
“Plaintiff Delayed Treatment”
Defense argues plaintiff didn’t seek medical care quickly enough. 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”
Comparative negligence.
Critical Steps After an Incident That May Cause Internal Injuries
Get Emergency Medical Attention Immediately
Even with no obvious symptoms, emergency medical care is essential.
Symptoms can develop later.
Don’t Refuse Medical Transport
Even if you feel okay, paramedic evaluation establishes the medical record.
Allow Comprehensive Trauma Evaluation
Trauma evaluations include imaging to detect internal injuries.
Don’t Refuse Imaging
CT scans and other imaging reveal subclinical internal damage.
Document All Symptoms Over Time
Internal injury symptoms can develop slowly. Track all symptoms as they occur.
Track Vital Signs
For internal trauma, track concerning developments: changes in bowel/bladder function.
Don’t Sign Releases Quickly
Insurance companies push quick settlements. The full damages picture takes time to develop.
Attorney Costs
Lawyers handling these cases work on contingency. These cases require investment in trauma specialists, surgical experts, and other medical experts reimbursed from the recovery.
Move Quickly
These cases need quick attention.
Medical evaluation and documentation matters significantly. Continued documentation of evolving symptoms matters enormously.
The legal time limit continues running.
Engaging counsel right away ensures comprehensive documentation.