Sacramento Abdominal Trauma Lawyer

The abdomen muscles are essential for providing structure for the spine and protecting vital organs. These include organs of the circulatory, exocrine, endocrine, urinary, digestive, and components of the reproductive system. Blunt trauma to the abdomen may cause damage to the internal organs. This may result in injuries to the intestines, liver, spleen, and bowel, contusions, and internal bleeding. A patient with blunt abdominal trauma may also present with extremity injuries. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of blunt abdominal trauma in the country. Abdominal injuries are usually attributed to collisions between individuals and their surroundings or from deceleration and acceleration forces acting on their internal organs.

Did a recent accident leave you with blunt abdominal trauma? Our California personal injury lawyers can help you seek fair compensation for your medical bills, wage loss, and more. Call today to learn more and receive free, friendly advice on your case at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

After sustaining a traumatic injury in an accident caused by the negligence of another party or entity, moving forward may be challenging. Mounting medical bills and property damage may be overwhelming, mainly if you are temporarily or permanently unable to work because of the crash. At AutoAccident.com, we understand the emotional, financial, and physical consequences that a motor vehicle collision may have on the injured party and their family. That is why our legal team has dedicated our time to helping those facing such situations for over three decades. Our goal is to help injured parties seek maximum compensation for their losses. If you have questions about your case, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help.

The organ most commonly injured within the abdomen is the spleen, followed by the liver. The small intestines, diaphragm, large intestines, bladder, and kidney may also be impacted. Internal organ trauma has the potential to result in hemorrhage leading to hypotension and hypovolemic shock in some extreme cases. This has been found to occur when there is insufficient blood volume in the body, thus, leading to circulatory failure. Immediate medical treatment is necessary in these cases, given that hypovolemic shock can potentially be life-threatening and result in organ failure.

Blunt abdominal trauma is associated with high morbidity and has been found to occur in people of all age groups. Car accidents are the top cause of blunt trauma to the abdomen. Although rare, other reasons for this type of injury may include industrial accidents, injuries from sports-related activities, cycling crashes, and falls from heights.

Diagnosing blunt trauma to the abdomen may be time-consuming and challenging, given that the presentation is not always straightforward. Aside from pain, there may be a presence of peritonitis, unstable vital signs, and bleeding per rectum in the patient that is observed for blunt abdominal trauma. In a physical exam, a patient may present with tenderness to palpation, absent bowel sounds, abdominal distention, ecchymosis, and marks from a seat belt. If there is a presence of peritonitis, there may also be the possibility of rebound and guarding tenderness present.

Evaluating a patient presenting with an abdominal injury starts with assessing the airway and breathing to manage circulation. The patient’s hemodynamic status is a critical factor in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma. In hemodynamically stable patients, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be ordered to search for an injury in the pelvis and abdomen. Conversely, those deemed hemodynamically unstable may undergo an ultrasound or peritoneal lavage. The indications for ultrasound may include penetrating or blunt trauma to the torso. In these cases, there may be a suspicion of hemothorax, pericardial tamponade, and intraperitoneal hemorrhage.

Management of a patient with blunt trauma to the abdomen requires the use of ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) in assessment. The cervical spine must be protected once the airway has been secured. Following completing the primary survey, immediate aggressive fluid resuscitation may be required for trauma patients with hypotension. If hemodynamic instability is persistent, there should be a typing and crossing of the blood. Immediate laparotomy may be necessary for blunt abdominal trauma patients presenting with frank bleeding, peritonitis, or worsening clinical symptoms.

Blunt trauma to the abdomen may lead to blood clots and bruising. When the tissues or vessels are injured, the body may form clots in reaction to the trauma to prevent excess blood loss. Bruising may occur from a break in the blood vessels within the soft tissue, specifically the surface. Deep vein thrombosis is associated with blunt abdominal trauma when a vein’s inner lining has sustained damage. This condition often develops deep in the legs but has been found to form in other areas of the body, like the arm.

Pulmonary embolism is the most severe complication of deep vein thrombosis. It occurs from a portion of a blood clot breaking off and traveling to the lungs. This condition is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Conversely, deep vein thrombosis may also result in long-term complications from damage in the valves of a vein from a clot. This condition is otherwise known as post-thrombotic syndrome. Patients with this condition may experience ulcers or scaling in the affected body area, discoloration, pain, and swelling.

When a party has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle collision caused by someone else’s negligence, they may have grounds for a personal injury claim. This type of case is intended to make an injured party whole again. Economic and non-economic damages for losses like pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages may be sought. The insurance company representing the negligent party is generally responsible for covering accident-related damages caused by the insured. When the other side does not have liability coverage or has minimal bodily injury liability limits, the injured party’s uninsured and underinsured motorist protection may come into play. First-party insurance claims, like third-party insurance claims, are often challenging to navigate because of the problematic insurers and defense counsel that may be involved.

To bring a successful personal injury case forward, it must be established through clear evidence that the other side was responsible for the incident that caused blunt abdominal trauma and other injuries. Proving negligence requires a claimant to demonstrate that the other party had a duty of care, breached this duty, the breach was the direct cause of the accident, and damages were suffered as a result. Valuable evidence in establishing the connection between a crash and reported injuries may include photographs of the accident scene and physical injuries, statements from eyewitnesses, police reports, medical records, expert witness testimony, and more.

While you may generally have up to two years to file a lawsuit in civil court, per the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, that does not necessarily mean you should delay retaining legal counsel. That is because various factors may influence the statute of limitations that applies to the case. For instance, if a government entity is involved in a personal injury case, a notice of claim must be filed no later than 180 days from the accident date. This is by the California Government Code Section 911.2. Personal injury cases may be challenging, but an experienced blunt abdominal trauma lawyer can help you ensure all filing deadlines are met and obtain a successful result. Watch this video for details on selecting a top injury attorney in your area to handle your abdominal injury claim.

Accidents may occur when least expected. When involved in one that has left you with injuries, such as blunt abdominal trauma, consider discussing your case with an experienced injury lawyer who can explain your rights and inform you of what to expect from the claims process. At AutoAccident.com, we have the experience, skills, and resources to build a strong case for fair compensation. We have helped many people in situations like yours obtain successful outcomes in their cases, some of which are featured on our Settlements and Verdicts page. To learn more about how our multilingual legal team can help, call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We can review your case and provide free, friendly advice anytime.

Photo Source: “derneuemann” via Pixabay

Editor’s Note: Updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 2.21.23]

:ds [cs 1462] bw

Additional Resources: