Any trauma that affects the thoracic region, including the rib cage, lungs, heart, and surrounding muscles, is considered a chest injury. These types of injuries can range from minor bruises to life-threatening conditions that require medical attention. If you suffer this injury in Indiana, you may have a number of legal options.
Common Causes of Chest Injuries
A variety of different incidents can lead to a chest injury, including:
- Car Accidents: When there is a collision, it can force the chest to collide against parts of the vehicle, leading to fractures, contusions, or internal injuries.
- Falls: Falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface can result in blunt force trauma to the chest.
- Workplace Accidents: Employees who work around heavy machinery, large objects, or other hazardous conditions are at higher risk for chest injuries.
- Sports Injuries: High contact sports like football and boxing can mean an increased likelihood of sustaining chest trauma.
- Assault and Violence: Wounds from gunshots, stabs, and other injuries from physical assault can impact the chest.
These examples represent only a few of the common types of trauma that can impact the chest.
Types of Chest Injuries
There are two categories of chest injuries: blunt force trauma, and penetrating trauma. Both can range in severity and impact.
Blunt Force Trauma
When a forceful impact injures the chest area without breaking skin, it is known as blunt force trauma. There are several different types of blunt force trauma, including:
- Rib Fractures: Broken ribs can cause trouble breathing and intense pain.
- Flail Chest: When more than one rib breaks in separate areas, there is the added complication of an unstable chest wall.
- Pulmonary Contusions: When the lungs are bruised, it can lead to difficulty breathing or excess fluid.
- Cardiac Contusions: Trauma directly to the heart can impact its function and cause other complications.
Each of these blunt force traumas has the potential to significantly harm the chest and surrounding organs.
Penetrating Trauma
Penetrating trauma happens when an object pierces the chest wall. These injuries often require immediate medical attention, as they may cause organ damage. Some examples include:
- Puncture Wounds: These can be caused by bullets or other sharp objects.
- Pneumothorax: Occurs when the lung collapses due to air entering the chest.
- Hemothorax: Internal bleeding inside of the chest.
Penetrating chest injuries can pose life-threatening risks and should be addressed quickly.
Symptoms of a Chest Injury
It’s important to know how to recognize the symptoms of a chest injury to help determine whether medical treatment is needed after an accident. Some common symptoms include:
- Sharp, aching, or stabbing pain that worsens with breathing
- Difficulty breathing or breathing deeply
- Discoloration and tenderness around the injury site
- Coughing up blood, which can be a sign of internal bleeding
- Dizziness or weakness, which can be a sign of internal bleeding and shock
Knowing these symptoms can help with identifying urgent situations where prompt medical attention is necessary.
Long-Term Impacts of Chest Injuries
Some chest injuries can heal with minimal complications, but severe cases may have long-term issues. Some possible complications from chest injuries can include persistent breathing difficulties, chronic pain, and even organ damage to the heart and lungs.
Steps to Take After a Chest Injury
Here are some steps you should take in the event that you are injured:
- Visit a doctor immediately to get diagnosed and treated, as well as to prevent further complications if there are substantial injuries.
- Document your injury thoroughly with photos and video, keep copies of all medical documents, and take notes of symptoms and other relevant information.
- Gather any available evidence, such as an accident report, witness statements, and any security footage or records from where the accident occurred.
- If needed, consult with a legal professional who can evaluate your case and discuss your options with you.
Taking these actions can help ensure that you receive proper care. They can also support your potential legal claim.
Legal Options For Chest Injuries
Sometimes, chest injuries are the result of negligent actions. In these cases, it might be necessary to seek out legal assistance to pursue compensation. For example, you may be eligible for compensation related to medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering if you sustained a personal injury.
Work-related injuries often qualify for workers’ compensation, which can help cover medical costs and any lost wages because of the accident. Similarly, product liability claims are for chest injuries that happen due to a defective product, and they offer a way to seek compensation from the manufacturer.
Compensation for a chest injury can depend on a variety of factors. Typically, it can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and costs for accommodating long-term disabilities and treatment, in addition to any pain and suffering.
Suffered a Chest Injury? Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one suffered a chest injury while in Indianapolis, Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers may be able to help. Our team of experienced legal professionals is dedicated to fighting for injured individuals and their loved ones to get them the compensation that they need and deserve to move forward.
Contact our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers at (317) 916-0000 to get started with a free consultation and discover your legal options today.
