Compensation for Internal Injuries in Edmond, OK
Internal injuries can be hidden killers. External examination may reveal nothing. Symptom onset is often delayed. Delayed treatment can result in death. A Edmond internal injury attorney understands the medical reality of internal injuries.
Why Internal Injuries Are Different
Hidden Damage Without Obvious External Signs
Internal injuries can present with only minor visible signs. This makes them especially dangerous because they can be overlooked.
Significant trauma can occur with limited visible evidence.
Delayed Symptom Onset
Internal bleeding can develop over hours. Symptoms can appear over an extended period after the injury.
Delayed symptom development:
- Necessitates prompt medical assessment
- Generates timing-of-injury disputes
- Lets internal injuries become severe before medical intervention
Hidden Damage Affects Vital Systems
Internal damage affects critical organ systems:
- Circulatory function
- The respiratory system
- Stomach, intestines, and gastrointestinal function
- Kidneys and urinary tract
- Reproductive organs
- Hormone-producing organs
Internal Injuries Can Be Life-Threatening
Internal trauma carries mortality risk. Internal bleeding, organ damage, and other internal injuries can rapidly progress to fatal conditions.
Common Internal Injuries
Internal Bleeding (Hemorrhage)
Internal hemorrhage is particularly dangerous.
Internal bleeding can occur in:
- Chest bleeding
- Abdominal bleeding
- The retroperitoneal space
- Within organs
- Brain bleeding
- Between layers of organs
Untreated internal bleeding results in shock from blood loss and ultimately death.
Solid Organ Injuries
Splenic Injuries
The spleen is frequently injured. Splenic rupture produces serious bleeding. May require splenectomy.
Liver Injuries
Liver injuries are common in significant trauma. Hepatic injuries produce significant hemorrhage.
Kidney Injuries
Kidney damage can range from contusions to complete rupture. May cause chronic kidney problems.
Pancreatic Injuries
Pancreatic trauma may be hard to detect initially. Leads to severe issues.
Hollow Organ Injuries
Bowel Perforations
Intestinal perforation lead to severe infection. These require immediate surgical intervention.
Stomach Injuries
Stomach rupture is less common but serious.
Bladder Injuries
Urinary bladder trauma can occur in pelvic trauma.
Chest Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion
Bruising of the lung impairs breathing.
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space can be life-threatening.
Hemothorax
Blood in the chest cavity requires emergency drainage.
Cardiac Injuries
Cardiac injury leads to cardiac complications. Cardiac tamponade (blood compressing the heart) is a true emergency.
Aortic Injury
Aortic injury is often fatal.
Diaphragm Injuries
Diaphragmatic injury causes serious complications.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic damage can involve bone fractures combined with internal organ damage.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto accidents produce many internal injuries.
Vehicle accident forces impact organ systems, generating various injury types.
Falls
Falls onto hard surfaces can produce significant internal injuries.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Pedestrian/cyclist injuries frequently cause internal damage.
Workplace Accidents
Construction site accidents can cause internal trauma.
Crush Injuries
Crush incidents cause severe internal damage.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating trauma generate organ-specific damage.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Sports incidents can cause internal injuries.
Medical Negligence
Surgical complications 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, insurers minimize the harm.
This skepticism persists.
“The Other Driver Was Fine”
Other parties’ apparent intact condition is leveraged by defense.
Delayed Diagnosis
Late diagnoses create causation challenges.
Insurers claim the injury could have been caused by something other than the accident.
Lack of Public Awareness
Most people don’t understand that internal injuries can develop over days allows insurer minimization.
How Internal Injury Cases Get Built
Immediate Medical Documentation
Trauma center evaluation build the medical record.
Imaging Studies
CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs reveal internal damage.
Surgical Findings
Operative reports from emergency surgery provide direct documentation.
Treating Physician Testimony
Treating physicians establish the medical foundation.
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
Medical experts connect the injury to the accident.
Patient Symptom Tracking
Symptom documentation establishes the connection.
Damages in Internal Injury Cases
Recoverable losses include include:
- Emergency medical care
- Operating costs
- Hospital stays
- ICU expenses
- Future surgical costs
- Continuing care
- Earnings affected by injury
- Reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Spousal damages
- Wrongful death and survivor damages
- Exemplary damages where conduct was egregious
Long-Term Consequences
Internal injuries often have long-term consequences:
Permanent Organ Damage
Organs that don’t fully recover generate lasting issues.
Splenectomy Consequences
Removed spleens increases susceptibility to certain infections.
Kidney Function Issues
Kidney damage may lead to dialysis.
Digestive Complications
Bowel injuries require ongoing management.
Reproductive Complications
Internal injuries involving reproductive organs 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. 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”
Defense argues plaintiff didn’t seek medical care quickly enough. This defense is problematic due to the delayed presentation of internal injuries.
“The Severity Is Exaggerated”
Defense disputes the severity of internal injuries.
“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, prompt medical evaluation is absolutely critical.
Internal injuries don’t always produce immediate symptoms.
Don’t Refuse Medical Transport
Even if you feel okay, paramedic evaluation establishes the medical record.
Allow Comprehensive Trauma Evaluation
Trauma centers perform comprehensive screening to find internal trauma.
Don’t Refuse Imaging
Diagnostic imaging find internal injuries before they become critical.
Document All Symptoms Over Time
Internal injury symptoms can develop slowly. Document any new symptoms when they emerge.
Track Vital Signs
For known internal injuries, watch for warning indicators: difficulty breathing.
Don’t Sign Releases Quickly
Adjusters move fast. The full extent of internal injury damages often isn’t apparent for months.
Attorney Costs
Internal injury attorneys charge no upfront fees. Expert costs are substantial paid by counsel.
Move Quickly
Time pressure on these cases is real.
Medical evaluation and documentation is the foundation of these cases. Long-term documentation is essential.
OK’s statute of limitations sets a hard cutoff.
Getting an attorney involved promptly ensures comprehensive documentation.