Internal bleeding is a serious medical condition that can result after trauma to the body. It can lead to significant organ damage or even death if left untreated. If you were recently involved in a slip and fall or another type of accident, a Tampa slip and fall injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help. We provide responsive legal assistance and can answer any questions you have about the claims process during a free case consultation. Call us today to get started.
Internal Bleeding Explained
Medical News Today reports that internal bleeding occurs inside the body when a blood vessel is damaged. It is typically an underlying result of another medical condition, such as damage to the organs. Internal bleeding can result in relatively minor hemorrhages, such as small, ruptured blood vessels near the surface of the skin, or large, uncontrolled hemorrhages that are life-threatening.
Internal bleeding may be caused by blunt trauma to the body or penetrating trauma. Blunt trauma usually occurs when there is a sudden force to the body, such as the impact of a severe fall. Penetrating trauma occurs when an outside object penetrates the body, such as broken glass piercing the head during a fall.
Some of the more serious types of internal bleeding include:
- Bleeding in the skull
- Bleeding around the heart
- Tears in blood vessels serving major organs
Symptoms of Internal Bleeding
There are different symptoms for internal bleeding, depending on the severity of the injury, including:
Moderate to Severe Internal Bleeding
Symptoms of moderate to severe internal bleeding, according to Medical News Today, may include:
- Muscle and joint pain or weakness
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Severe headache
- Exhaustion
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stool of a dark brown or black color
- Blood in the urine
- Low blood pressure
- Vision problems
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Disorientation
- Chest pain
- Bruising
- Shortness of breath
Very Severe Internal Bleeding
Very severe internal bleeding may be noticed by the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Organ failure
- Seizures
- Rapid heart rate
- Very low blood pressure
- Vomiting blood
- Leakage of blood from the ears, eyes, or nose
- Inability to urinate
- Sweaty skin that feels cool to the touch
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after a slip and fall accident, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately.
Diagnosing Internal Bleeding
MedlinePlus says that it is important to seek emergency medical assistance for severe bleeding because internal bleeding can quickly become life-threatening and immediate medical care may be needed. While the bleeding may not be visible, it is important to locate the source of the bleeding and begin treating it.
According to Medical News Today, diagnosing internal bleeding usually requires:
- A physical examination
- A review of your medical history
- Questions about your symptoms
- Blood and urine tests
- Imaging tests such as a CT or MRI scan
- ECG or X-ray to assess blood flow to the heart, if applicable
Treatment for Internal Bleeding
Your treatment plan will largely depend on the severity of your injury. Minor internal bleeding may only require rest and hydration. Your blood may clot and temporarily limit the bleeding while your blood vessels repair themselves.
Moderate to severe internal bleeding may be treated through the administration of:
- Blood
- Platelets
- Plasma
- Vitamin K
Your doctor may also give you doses of compounds and complexes to stimulate clotting. In very severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the affected blood vessel and to remove extra blood.
You may also be prescribed medications or given physical therapy to help prevent further injuries or complications
Potential Complications Associated with Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a leading cause of trauma-related death. If left untreated, internal bleeding can result in organ failure, coma, external bleeding, seizures, shock, or death. Detecting these injuries early may help mitigate complications.
Compensation that May Be Available for Your Claim
If another person’s negligence caused your slip and fall accident that led to internal bleeding, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the damages you suffered, such as:
Medical Expenses
The costs to diagnose and treat your medical expenses may be covered, which may include:
- Ambulance expenses
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Follow-up care
- Prescription medicine
Lost Wages
You may be able to recover compensation for the wages and work benefits you lost while you recovered.
Non-Economic Damages
You may also be able to recover for your pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Contact our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine by calling 1-800-747-3733 to get a better idea about the potential value of your claim.
How Our Tampa Internal Bleeding Lawyers May Be Able to Help
A Tampa internal bleeding lawyer from our team may be able to help your claim by:
- Investigating your accident
- Gathering evidence
- Reviewing your medical records
- Interviewing witnesses
- Handling communication with the insurance company
- Estimating the long-term and short-term effects of your injury
- Accurately estimating the value of your claim
- Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company
- Advising you of your rights throughout the process
- Guiding you toward a favorable outcome of your claim
Contact us today to learn more about how we may be able to help.
Contact Our Team for Help With Your Claim
If your internal bleeding occurred shortly after a slip and fall or another personal injury incident, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can discuss your claim during a free consultation. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, so we do not charge you any attorney fees unless your Tampa internal bleeding lawyer recovers compensation on your behalf. You have nothing to lose by contacting us today and learning more about your legal rights and options.
We Can Help.
