Ruptured spleen is a common example of catastrophic injuries
A Texas motor vehicle accident may result in little more than property damage or a few scrapes and bruises. However, anyone who is involved in an accident, even a minor one, is at risk for catastrophic injuries. Not all injuries are easy to see, and a ruptured spleen, one of the most common internal injuries car accident victims may suffer, does not always present its symptoms right away.
The spleen is a mysterious organ, and not many people even understand the role it plays in the body’s immune system. It is located in the upper left of the abdomen under the rib cage, so any blow to that portion of the body places the spleen at risk. The symptoms of a ruptured spleen include pain and tenderness under the left side of the ribcage. The pain may radiate to the left shoulder, and the victim may feel dizzy or lightheaded.
A ruptured spleen is not a minor matter. Any organ bleeding into the abdominal cavity places the victim at high risk, but the spleen carries significant blood flow. This may result in critical blood loss, which can lead to shock or death. Doctors prefer to try repairing the spleen, but a badly damaged organ may require removal. This leaves the patient at a greater risk for infections for the rest of his or her life.
Injuries from a motor vehicle accident can be life-altering, and some can be life-ending. Those who suffer catastrophic injuries through no fault of their own may face insurmountable medical bills and other expenses. With the assistance of a skilled Texas attorney, they may learn of ways to claim the compensation they deserve.