Sacramento Renal Trauma Lawyer

Renal trauma is a medical condition that may arise from an external force causing injury to the kidney. While the rib cage and muscles in the back are responsible for the protection of the kidneys, injuries to this life-sustaining organ may occur because of penetrating trauma or blunt trauma. The former describes trauma resulting from an object that pierces through the skin and enters the body, whereas the latter is the damage caused by the force of an object that does not cause a break in the skin. Any type of injury to the kidney may prevent it from serving key functions in the body. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical treatment in the event of an accident resulting in renal trauma.

Blunt trauma from a motor vehicle collision has the potential to cause kidney damage. If this has happened to you or a loved one, receive free, friendly advice on your renal trauma case by calling one of our skilled personal injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

The decisions made following an accident may have a considerable impact on your right and ability to recover financial compensation through a personal injury claim. Knowing what steps to take may be stressful and overwhelming, but a lawyer with the right experience, skills, and resources will simplify the legal process for you and your family. Insurance companies have endless resources and are represented by experienced attorneys, and you deserve the same. Do not hesitate to contact our law firm if you have suffered injuries such as renal trauma in an accident in California. We will stop at nothing to prove every possible cause and hold at-fault parties accountable for the undue harm you and your family have suffered because of their negligent actions. Get started by scheduling a free consultation with one of our experienced and dedicated injury attorneys at AutoAccident.com today.

In renal trauma cases, penetrating trauma is less common than blunt trauma. Gunshot wounds are the leading cause of penetrating renal injury, followed by stab wounds. Conversely, the top reasons for blunt renal trauma are pedestrian accidents, sports injuries, slip and falls, and traffic collisions. Blunt trauma may occur from a direct blow to the kidney from forces of rapid deceleration or crushing of the life-sustaining organ against the paraspinal muscles. Devascularization of the kidney may occur from rapid deceleration resulting in renal vessel avulsion, arterial thrombosis or dissection, or ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) avulsion.

A patient admitted to a trauma center for a penetrating or blunt injury to the pelvis, abdomen, or chest may have an increased risk of renal trauma. Therefore, it is essential for a physician to be aware of this risk during the history assessment of patients with possible kidney injury. Conversely, it is also crucial to observe a patient and recognize any pre-existing clinical abnormalities of the kidneys as there may be the potential for significant renal trauma with a minor injury. A thorough examination of the genitourinary, flank, chest, and abdomen regions is necessary. High suspicions of renal trauma may arise in a patient presenting with ecchymosis, pain, and tenderness in the back, abdomen, or flank. Diagnostic imaging for such injuries may include:

• Computed Tomography (CT): In a suspected renal trauma patient, the imaging modality of choice is a CT scan. The evaluation of the collecting system, renal vessels, and renal cortex is possible through the enhancement at various time frames of immediate and delayed phases of imaging. It may be useful in the differentiation of active bleeding from the extravasation of urine. An injury of the kidney may be seen more clearly in a CT scan as the intravenous (IV) contrast dye may flow through the kidney and blood.
• Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): An intravenous pyelogram may be necessary for the diagnosis of various medical conditions such as renal trauma. The purpose of the IVP is to provide the physician with a visualization of the size, shape, and structure of the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. It is a type of X-ray that may be done at the same time as a computed tomography scan of the kidneys.
• Ultrasound: The purpose of an ultrasound is to utilize sound waves to create a visualization of the inside of the body. This type of test may be used by itself or combined with other exams for the diagnosis of different health conditions. A renal ultrasound allows the physician to view the left and right kidney in addition to the bladder. Ultrasounds are also useful in the detection of blockages in the blood vessels and the distinguishment of most pathological alterations in the kidneys.

It is essential for any patient presenting with renal trauma to undergo clinal evaluation followed by diagnostic imaging to determine the severity of the injury promptly.

Most kidney injury cases are handled through non-operative management, and in those involving serious injuries, minimally invasive techniques may be utilized. Conversely, patients with renal trauma that fail non-operative management, do not respond to resuscitative measures, or who are hemodynamically unstable may be considered candidates for surgical intervention.

Some of the other indications for surgery may include avulsion of the proximal ureter or renal pelvis, worsening or persistent extravasation of urine, and persistent bleeding requiring ongoing angioembolization or transfusion of red blood cells. The top goal in operative management is hemostasis and salvaging the kidney through all possible measures.

In non-operative management of renal injury cases that are classified as high-grade traumatic, the most common complications following treatment may include urinoma, acute kidney injury, fever, and hematuria. Conversely, operative management of renal trauma may have the potential to lead to complications such as urinary tract infection (UTI), perinephric abscess, and wound infection.

When a person has sustained injuries such as kidney trauma in an accident through no fault of their own, they may be entitled to financial compensation for damages incurred. The process involves bringing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company. Such cases require clear and compelling evidence proving that the negligent party owed a duty of care to the injured individual, a breach of that duty of care, direct causation, and losses resulting from the incident. Recoverable damages may include but are not limited to medical bills, wage loss, out-of-pocket expenses in cases of permanent injury or disability, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and more.

Injured parties will often have to put up a fight when it comes to demanding the financial recovery they need and deserve to put the crash behind them. That is where an experienced renal trauma lawyer may be of assistance. An attorney can put their knowledge, skills, and resources to work for the client’s injury case and obtain the favorable outcome they need to get their life back on track after a traumatic accident. Not any lawyer can handle a renal trauma case. Experience in California personal injury law and a history of successful verdicts and settlements are essential in these legal matters. For information on how to select the best attorney in your area to represent you, watch this video.

After an accident resulting in injuries such as renal trauma, your focus will be on recovering and getting your life back on track. During this time, the insurance company representing the other party may reach out to make an initial settlement offer on the bodily injury claim. Such offers are made before an injured individual has completed medical treatment or has consulted with an accident attorney. However, accepting an initial settlement offer from the insurer without retaining legal counsel may not be in your best interest.

Any initial settlement offer may be far less than what is needed to cover the full extent of economic and non-economic damages incurred. Keep in mind that once the settlement is accepted, all parties will be released from further liability, meaning that additional compensation cannot be demanded from the claim after that point. Taking your time to learn about your rights and options for financial recovery may increase your chance of recovering the fair compensation you need in your renal trauma case, and an experienced injury lawyer can make that possible.

Any individual who has suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence is generally entitled to financial recovery through a personal injury case. However, unique challenges may present in the claims process when an injured party has a pre-existing condition. That is because a claimant may only be entitled to compensation if the accident in question exacerbated or worsened their pre-existing medical condition. When bringing such cases forward, it is crucial for an injured party to make full disclosure of any health issues, even if believed to be unrelated to their current medical condition. The reason behind this is if it is later found by the other side that the claimant withheld such information, it may harm their credibility and leave room for their claim to be devalued or denied.

Having a pre-existing health condition such as a congenital anomaly of the kidney does not necessarily mean that an injured party will not be able to recover damages through a bodily injury claim. By taking appropriate measures to disclose such information and having clear and compelling evidence proving that a pre-existing condition was exacerbated because of a crash, you may be able to seek compensation for damages associated with the aggravation of your health condition. While this may be challenging to prove in insurance negotiations and in civil court, enlisting the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer will go far in helping you reach a successful resolution.

Getting injured in a crash through no fault of your own may turn your life upside down. You need time to get back on your feet with the right medical treatment to recover. Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. There is generally a two-year statute of limitations that applies to these cases, as outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. However, it may be shortened to as little as 180 days in civil cases involving public agencies under the California Government Code Section 911.2.

Failure to meet the statute of limitations may result in the dismissal of the case by the court and the loss of the right to seek compensatory damages. Do not let the filing criteria and deadlines that apply to these legal matters stop you from seeking the financial recovery you need. Contact our experienced injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com if you have been hurt in a recent crash. When you turn to us for legal representation, you can rest assured knowing that all aspects of your case will be handled accordingly.

The kidneys play a pivotal role as life-sustaining organs in the removal of waste and excess fluid from the body, secretion of various essential hormones, and homeostasis of electrolytes and water content. If you suffered renal trauma in an accident caused by the fault of another party or entity, speak with one of our experienced California personal injury attorneys today and receive free, friendly case advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Difficult insurance companies and defense counsel will do everything in their power to drive down the value of a personal injury case or outright deny it. Our law firm has been fighting to protect the rights and interests of injured parties just like you since 1982. We are only a phone call away, so do not hesitate to contact us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our skilled injury lawyers.

^{Editor’s Note: updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 4.14.23]}

^{Image Attribution: By “Kindel Media” via Pexels}

^{ds [cs 2043] bw}