Recovering Damages for Internal Trauma in McAlester, OK
Internal injuries are uniquely dangerous. External examination may reveal nothing. Symptoms can be delayed by hours, days, or even weeks. Untreated internal injuries can be lethal. 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 especially dangerous because they can go unrecognized.
The body can absorb significant force while showing minimal external signs.
Delayed Symptom Onset
Internal bleeding may not produce immediate symptoms. Manifestations can occur on different timelines than external injuries.
Delayed symptom development:
- Makes immediate medical evaluation absolutely critical
- Generates timing-of-injury disputes
- Lets internal injuries become severe before medical intervention
Hidden Damage Affects Vital Systems
Internal trauma impacts essential bodily systems:
- Circulatory function
- The respiratory system
- Digestion
- Kidney function
- Reproductive systems
- Hormonal/endocrine systems
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 bleeding is among the most dangerous internal injuries.
Internal bleeding can develop in:
- The chest cavity (hemothorax)
- Bleeding in the abdomen
- Bleeding behind the abdominal cavity
- Within organs
- Within the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
- Between layers of organs
Untreated internal bleeding leads to shock and ultimately death.
Solid Organ Injuries
Splenic Injuries
The spleen is particularly vulnerable to abdominal trauma. Splenic damage produces serious bleeding. Frequently requires splenectomy.
Liver Injuries
Liver injuries are common in significant trauma. Liver damage result in major blood loss.
Kidney Injuries
Renal injuries can range from contusions to complete rupture. Can affect long-term kidney function.
Pancreatic Injuries
Pancreatic injuries may be hard to detect initially. Can cause severe complications.
Hollow Organ Injuries
Bowel Perforations
Bowel ruptures lead to severe infection. These require immediate surgical intervention.
Stomach Injuries
Stomach rupture is less common but serious.
Bladder Injuries
Bladder injury happens in significant pelvic trauma.
Chest Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion
Lung contusion can cause significant breathing problems.
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space can be life-threatening.
Hemothorax
Hemothorax requires immediate treatment.
Cardiac Injuries
Cardiac contusion produces cardiac issues. Pericardial fluid compressing the heart is a true emergency.
Aortic Injury
Aortic damage is often fatal.
Diaphragm Injuries
Diaphragm damage produces life-threatening complications.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic trauma can involve combined fracture and internal injury.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents are leading causes of 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
Pedestrian/cyclist injuries often produce internal injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Workplace incidents produce internal injuries.
Crush Injuries
Crush injuries from vehicles, machinery, or structures cause severe internal damage.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating trauma generate organ-specific damage.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Recreational injuries 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 skepticism persists.
“The Other Driver Was Fine”
The fact that others weren’t injured is leveraged by defense.
Delayed Diagnosis
Delayed diagnoses generate causation disputes.
Insurers claim the injury could have been caused by something other than the accident.
Lack of Public Awareness
General lack of awareness allows insurer minimization.
How Internal Injury Cases Get Built
Immediate Medical Documentation
Initial emergency care provide the foundation.
Imaging Studies
CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs provide objective evidence.
Surgical Findings
Operative reports from emergency surgery provide direct documentation.
Treating Physician Testimony
Treating doctors 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 build the causation case.
Expert Medical Testimony
Specialty medical experts establish causation.
Patient Symptom Tracking
Symptom tracking establishes the connection.
Damages in Internal Injury Cases
Compensation in these cases include:
- Initial emergency care
- Major surgical expenses
- Hospitalization
- ICU expenses
- Continuing surgical care
- Ongoing medical care
- Lost wages
- Permanent occupational limitations
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Effects on relationships
- Compensation for fatal cases
- Exemplary damages where the underlying conduct was particularly harmful
Long-Term Consequences
Lasting consequences are typical:
Permanent Organ Damage
Organs that don’t fully recover generate lasting issues.
Splenectomy Consequences
Loss of the spleen creates lifelong infection risk.
Kidney Function Issues
Renal damage can require kidney transplant.
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 require lifelong management.
Common Insurance Defenses
“The Injury Wasn’t Caused by the Accident”
Defense’s primary argument. Defense argues alternative causes for the diagnosed internal injuries.
“The Injury Was Pre-Existing”
Pre-existing condition defenses get leveraged. Aggravation is compensable.
“Plaintiff Delayed Treatment”
Treatment delay defenses. This argument is paradoxical because internal injuries often don’t produce immediate symptoms because of internal injury timing.
“The Severity Is Exaggerated”
“The injury wasn’t that bad”.
“Comparative Fault”
Defense pushes shared-fault arguments.
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.
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 find internal trauma.
Don’t Refuse Imaging
Diagnostic imaging find internal injuries before they become critical.
Document All Symptoms Over Time
Symptoms emerge over time. Record symptom development when they emerge.
Track Vital Signs
For diagnosed internal injuries, track concerning developments: difficulty breathing.
Don’t Sign Releases Quickly
Insurance companies push quick settlements. Long-term consequences may not be apparent initially.
Attorney Costs
Lawyers handling these cases earn fees only on recovery. Expert costs are substantial reimbursed from the recovery.
Move Quickly
These cases need quick attention.
Prompt medical attention builds the case foundation. Long-term documentation builds the damages case.
OK’s statute of limitations sets a hard cutoff.
Getting an attorney involved promptly positions the case for the substantial recovery internal injuries can produce.