Recovering Damages for Internal Trauma in Purcell, OK
Internal injuries can be hidden killers. External examination may reveal nothing. Symptom onset is often delayed. Untreated internal injuries can be lethal. A Purcell 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 can be overlooked.
The body can absorb significant force while showing minimal external signs.
Delayed Symptom Onset
Internal hemorrhage may not be immediately apparent. Symptoms may emerge hours, days, or even weeks after the underlying trauma.
This delayed onset:
- Requires immediate medical attention even when feeling fine
- Creates challenges for insurance claims tied to “the obvious moment”
- Lets internal injuries become severe before medical intervention
Hidden Damage Affects Vital Systems
Internal damage affects critical organ systems:
- The cardiovascular system
- The lungs and breathing
- Digestion
- The urinary system
- Reproductive systems
- Hormonal/endocrine systems
Internal Injuries Can Be Life-Threatening
Death is possible without prompt treatment. Internal trauma can quickly become life-threatening.
Common Internal Injuries
Internal Bleeding (Hemorrhage)
Internal hemorrhage is particularly dangerous.
Internal bleeding can develop in:
- The chest cavity (hemothorax)
- Bleeding in the abdomen
- The retroperitoneal space
- Bleeding within organ structures
- Within the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
- Between layers of organs
Unrecognized internal bleeding can cause hypovolemic shock with potentially fatal consequences.
Solid Organ Injuries
Splenic Injuries
The spleen is particularly vulnerable to abdominal trauma. Splenic damage can cause life-threatening hemorrhage. Often requires surgical removal of the spleen.
Liver Injuries
Liver injuries are common in significant trauma. Liver lacerations and ruptures produce significant hemorrhage.
Kidney Injuries
Kidney damage spans a spectrum of severity. May cause chronic kidney problems.
Pancreatic Injuries
Pancreatic injuries can be challenging to identify. Can cause severe complications.
Hollow Organ Injuries
Bowel Perforations
Tears in the intestines cause peritonitis. These require immediate surgical intervention.
Stomach Injuries
Gastric injury requires emergency intervention.
Bladder Injuries
Bladder rupture results from major pelvic force.
Chest Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion
Lung contusion impairs breathing.
Pneumothorax
Collapsed lung requires emergency treatment.
Hemothorax
Bleeding into the pleural space requires immediate treatment.
Cardiac Injuries
Heart damage produces cardiac issues. Tamponade is a true emergency.
Aortic Injury
Aortic injury is rare but typically fatal.
Diaphragm Injuries
Diaphragm damage causes serious complications.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic trauma can involve combined skeletal and organ damage.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are leading causes of internal injuries.
Crash forces affect internal structures, generating various injury types.
Falls
Falls from height generate internal damage.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Vehicle strikes of pedestrians and cyclists generate internal injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Job-related accidents produce internal injuries.
Crush Injuries
Crush injuries from vehicles, machinery, or structures 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
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”
Without visible injuries, insurers minimize the harm.
This minimization continues despite diagnosis.
“The Other Driver Was Fine”
Other parties’ apparent intact condition is exploited by insurers.
Delayed Diagnosis
Late diagnoses generate causation disputes.
Defense leverages alternative causes.
Lack of Public Awareness
General lack of awareness makes insurance arguments effective.
How Internal Injury Cases Get Built
Immediate Medical Documentation
Emergency room evaluation and admission provide the foundation.
Imaging Studies
Imaging studies provide objective evidence.
Surgical Findings
Surgical documentation establish the severity of internal damage.
Treating Physician Testimony
Treating doctors support the injury claim.
Medical Records of Delayed Diagnoses
For delayed diagnoses, Medical documentation of the chain matter enormously.
Expert Medical Testimony
Trauma specialists, surgeons, and other expert medical witnesses establish causation.
Patient Symptom Tracking
Documentation of the development of symptoms builds the timeline.
Damages in Internal Injury Cases
Recoverable losses include include:
- Emergency medical care
- Surgical costs (often substantial)
- Inpatient care
- Critical care costs
- Continuing surgical care
- Ongoing medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced ability to work
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages where conduct was egregious
Long-Term Consequences
Internal injuries often have long-term consequences:
Permanent Organ Damage
Organs that don’t fully recover create long-term complications.
Splenectomy Consequences
Loss of the spleen creates lifelong infection risk.
Kidney Function Issues
Renal damage can require kidney transplant.
Digestive Complications
Digestive system injuries may result in chronic digestive problems.
Reproductive Complications
Reproductive system damage cause reproductive complications.
Chronic Pain
Long-term pain syndromes need ongoing pain management.
Common Insurance Defenses
“The Injury Wasn’t Caused by the Accident”
Defense’s primary argument. “Something else caused this”.
“The Injury Was Pre-Existing”
Past medical history are used by defense. Aggravation is compensable.
“Plaintiff Delayed Treatment”
“You should have gone to the hospital sooner”. This defense has limitations given the delayed-onset nature of internal injuries.
“The Severity Is Exaggerated”
Severity challenges.
“Comparative Fault”
“You contributed too”.
Critical Steps After an Incident That May Cause Internal Injuries
Get Emergency Medical Attention Immediately
Even with no obvious symptoms, same-day medical assessment is mandatory.
Initial symptom absence doesn’t mean no injury.
Don’t Refuse Medical Transport
Even when feeling fine, EMS documentation supports the case.
Allow Comprehensive Trauma Evaluation
Trauma evaluations include imaging to find internal trauma.
Don’t Refuse Imaging
CT scans and other imaging find internal injuries before they become critical.
Document All Symptoms Over Time
Late-onset symptoms develop. Track all symptoms as they occur.
Track Vital Signs
For internal trauma, track concerning developments: weakness.
Don’t Sign Releases Quickly
Carriers want quick resolution. The full damages picture takes time to develop.
Attorney Costs
Internal injury attorneys work on contingency. These cases require investment in trauma specialists, surgical experts, and other medical experts advanced by the firm.
Move Quickly
These cases need quick attention.
Comprehensive medical care is the foundation of these cases. Continued documentation of evolving symptoms is essential.
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.