The specific function of each organ in the human body contributes to our overall wellbeing and any injury to an internal organ is considered a catastrophic medical event. High-impact blunt force trauma or penetrating trauma can cause severe, life-threatening organ damage resulting in internal bleeding, shock from severe blood loss, systemic infection or even death. Emergency treatment generally involves stabilizing the patient, identifying injuries through diagnostics and utilizing either noninvasive treatment or surgery to control bleeding and repair organ damage.
If you or a family member has sustained internal organ damage from negligence in an auto accident, workplace accident, as a victim of a vicious assault or medical malpractice, you need a legal advocate on your side to help deal with law enforcement and insurance companies so you have time to recover and move forward with your life. Contact California’s experienced catastrophic injury attorney at Johnsons Attorney Group today at 1-800-208-3538.
Causes of Organ Damage
The affected organ, how the injury occurred and the severity of the damage medically classify organ injuries. Injuries occur from either blunt trauma or penetrating trauma that may result in complications like a shock from massive blood loss, the body’s inability to reabsorb blood from the injury (hematoma) or infection from the contents of a damaged organ enters the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). The diagnosis and treatment of organ damage will vary depending on the damaged organ location and complications along with the type of trauma incurred.
- High-Impact Blunt Trauma – This type of accident occurs when your body collides with another object. Common events causing organ damage from blunt trauma include auto accidents, fall accidents or physical assault.
- Penetrating Trauma – A penetrating injury happens when a foreign object pierces an organ. The sources of penetrating trauma include surgical instruments, knife wounds or gunshot injuries.
Many cases of negligent organ damage are preventable; here is a list of common incidents that may occur as a result of someone else’s reckless or careless behavior:
- Vehicle Accident
- Workplace Accident
- Slip and Fall Accident
- Medical Malpractice
Common Severe Internal Organ Damage
Trauma causing severe damage to complex internal organs may not always be apparent after an accident. You should always seek medical attention to make sure any hidden injuries can be addressed as soon as possible. There are five major organs in the human body that are vital to our survival. Damage to any one of these organs is life-threatening and requires emergency medical care. There are several other organs that, when damaged, can also lead to death especially when not treated in a timely manner. Among the most common internal organ damages are:
- Abdominal Organ Injury – Around ten percent of all trauma accident fatalities result from abdominal injuries. Organ damage can also occur as a result of a surgical error. Commonly abdominal injuries cause dangerous internal bleeding. Abdominal organs that may suffer damage from a traumatic accident are:
| Solid Organs | Hollow Organs |
| Liver | Stomach |
| Kidneys | Bladder |
| Spleen | Small Intestine |
| Pancreas | Colon |
- Chest Organ Injury – Vital organs located inside the chest include the heart and lungs. Chest injuries can also injure blood vessels, airways (trachea) or cause broken or splintered ribs to damage or puncture other organs. Serious organ damage will cause immediate pain and difficulty breathing. Trauma to the back or side of the chest can also cause damage to the liver, spleen or kidneys.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Blunt trauma from a blow to the head causes the brain to collide with the skull and penetrating trauma is caused when an object that penetrates the skull strikes the head. Either of these types of injuries can cause the brain to bruise or bleed (contusion). The trauma level depends on the type and extent of the impacting force:
-
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury or concussion is diagnosed if the person is confused or loses consciousness at the time of the injury.
- Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury results from a blow to the head and violent shaking of the head.
- Severe Brain Injury typically occurs from a crushing blow or penetrating wound to the skull causes damage to delicate brain tissue and can often be life-threatening.
Contact an Experienced Internal Organ Damage Injury in California
When you are faced with recovery from organ damage or dealing with the loss of a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is very important to take action and contact an experienced, qualified catastrophic injury attorney to protect your best interests. We will prepare the necessary legal action to fight for your ‘just’ compensation, call Johnson Attorneys Group at 1-800-208-3538 for a free case evaluation. We have recovered more than $100 million for our clients in California over the past few years, learn more about clients we’ve helped by viewing our case results.
