Chest injuries can alter a person’s life and cause severe pain, disability, and life-threatening complications. They can happen in car accidents, workplace mishaps, or even just a slip and fall. Those affected by chest injuries caused by another’s negligent behavior have legal recourse to pursue compensation for their losses and trauma.
A chest injury can involve any number of conditions. It could be something as minor as bruising or some form of severe trauma that puts your life in danger.
Rib Fractures
Fractures in the ribs are some of the most common chest injuries. They often occur from a direct blow to the chest, like in a car crash, or from severe coughing spells or sports injuries. Broken ribs often cause sharp pains, especially when you breathe deeply, laugh, or cough. Severe cases can lead to worse complications like a punctured lung or internal organ damage.
Pneumothorax
More commonly known as a collapsed lung, pneumothorax happens when air escapes from the lung and fills the space between it and the chest wall. Both blunt trauma and penetrating injuries can collapse a lung, causing sharp chest pain, trouble breathing, and life-threatening complications if left untreated.
Hemothorax
Hemothorax refers to an accumulation of blood in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. It can appear in the aftermath of almost any kind of trauma to the chest and leaves the victim with sharp chest pains, a racing heartbeat, and breathing difficulties. It’s a medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention to avoid deadly respiratory failure.
Pulmonary Contusions
A pulmonary contusion is basically a bruise on the lung tissue and is the result of a direct blow to the chest. It can cause bleeding and swelling in the lungs, which can lead to trouble breathing, chest pain, and low oxygen levels in the blood. Severe cases might need intensive care and a respirator as the person heals.
Flail Chest
Flail chest is a serious injury where several ribs are fractured in several places, which causes part of the chest wall to detach from the rest of the chest. It severely hinders breathing and almost always requires emergency medical treatment.
Cardiac Contusions
Bruising on the heart muscle is typically the result of blunt force trauma to the chest, like in a severe car crash. Symptoms can include chest pain, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and possibly even heart failure.
Common Causes of Chest Injuries
Chest injuries can appear in several different situations, many of which are commonly seen in a bustling urban environment like Nashville.
Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle crashes (cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.)
- Workplace accidents (construction sites, warehouses, heavy machinery)
- Slip and fall (especially from a height or on hard surfaces)
- Sports injuries (typically high-impact, like football, hockey, or martial arts)
Any situation that could cause you to hit your chest against something, or something to hit you in the chest, has the potential to leave you with a serious injury that could change your life. When those injuries are the result of someone else’s careless behavior, you have the right to seek compensation.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Not all chest injuries are immediately apparent, so recognizing the signs is vital so that you can get quick and effective treatment.
Common symptoms include:
- Sharp or persistent chest pain (especially when coughing, moving, or breathing deeply)
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Bruising or swelling
- Coughing up blood
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pressure in the chest
To accurately diagnose an injury, medical professionals will use several different tools to get a look inside your chest. This will likely involve X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. If there’s reason to believe your heart was affected, your doctor may also do an echocardiogram.
Treatment Options
The exact treatment for a chest injury depends largely on its type and severity. Very often, treatment will involve rest and pain management. Over-the-counter medications may be enough, but your doctor can offer prescription-strength painkillers if necessary. Ice packs and limiting your activity for a while can also help speed up your recovery.
More severe injuries like pneumothorax or broken ribs might need medical procedures to correct. Chest tubes will help remove air or blood from around the lungs. Surgery might be required to repair damage and stabilize the chest wall. The most severe cases will likely need intensive care.
Legal Options for Victims of Chest Injuries
If you’re dealing with a chest injury you received because of someone else’s negligence, you might have legal options to seek compensation. The option that’s best for you depends on your situation.
Personal Injury Claim
Victims of car crashes, workplace incidents, or any other accident might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to cover their hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs they have incurred because of their injuries. Besides reimbursing monetary damages, these claims also hold the responsible party accountable.
Workers’ Compensation
When a chest injury is sustained on the job, workers’ compensation benefits could be available. They usually cover medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and disability benefits if the trauma causes long-term impairment.
Product Liability Claim
If a defective product, like a faulty seat belt or airbag, contributed to your injury, a product liability lawsuit might be warranted. Distributors and manufacturers have a legal duty to make sure their items are safe before putting them on the market, and if they don’t, they can be held liable for any injuries caused by their products.
Wrongful Death Claim
In the event that a chest injury caused the death of a loved one, the surviving family might be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Payouts can help cover funeral costs and lost income and compensate for the loss of companionship.
What To Do After a Chest Injury
The steps you take after a chest injury can make a big impact on both your health and legal case. Always prioritize your health and get checked out by a doctor immediately after you’ve been hurt. This will create a record of your injury and how it has impacted your life.
As soon as you’re able, take pictures and video of the accident scene. Also, keep records of your medical treatment and any letters from the insurance companies or your employer. You’ll also want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to help you understand your rights and walk you through the legal process.
Take Charge of Your Recovery After a Chest Injury
Chest injuries can have lasting impacts on your health, livelihood, and quality of life. If you or a loved one was hurt because of someone else’s negligent behavior, contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
Contact Our Trusted Nashville Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered a fracture or other injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you need to act fast. Contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers or call us at (615) 685-8546 and schedule a consultation with our team. Our experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and help you decide what to do next.
