In an instant, a person can suffer a traumatic injury that affects their life for a long time or even forever. Traumatic injuries happen suddenly and require immediate medical attention. They are the result of penetrating, blunt, and burn mechanisms and can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and natural disasters. Traumatic injuries can happen at home, in the workplace, or on the street, so you never know when to expect them.
Traumatic injuries are classified by severity. There are six levels: minor, moderate, serious, severe, critical, and maximal (untreatable). While sometimes temporary, traumatic injuries are often long-term or permanent. Such an injury can last many years, decades, or even the rest of a person’s life.
Many people suffer these injuries due to their own negligence. They may accidentally trip and fall over an object. They may go too fast and crash their car into a tree.
In these situations, you would not have a legal case. However, if someone else caused you to suffer a traumatic injury due to their negligence, recklessness, or intentional behavior, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and recover compensation for damages. Here is a look at traumatic injuries in more detail and the damages they cause.
Blunt Force Trauma: These injuries are caused by impact with a dull object or surface. They often occur during sports activities and car accidents. Blunt force trauma may include injuries such as bruises, hematomas, concussions, or other brain injuries. Trauma to the abdominal area can cause organ rupture, particularly to the liver or spleen.
Penetrating Trauma: Penetrating trauma results from an object piercing the body, creating an open wound. Examples include stab wounds, gunshot wounds, and impaled objects.
Orthopedic Trauma: This includes injuries to the bones, joints, or connective tissues. Examples include broken bones, dislocations, and tears to tendons or ligaments.
Crushing Injuries: These occur when a body part is compressed under a heavy object. They are common in the workplace, particularly in industrial or vehicle accidents. Crushing injuries can lead to broken bones, amputations, and compartment syndrome, which is increased pressure within muscles.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a sudden blow, jolt, or penetration to the head. They range from mild (such as concussions) to severe (such as brain contusions or hemorrhages).
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can be caused by a car accident or other blunt-force trauma. It can result in paralysis or neurological impairment. An incomplete spinal cord injury results in partial loss of function, while a complete spinal cord injury results in loss of all function below the injury.
Internal Injuries: These refer to damage to internal organs or internal bleeding. Examples include a collapsed lung, an aneurysm, an infection, or an abdominal hemorrhage. Internal injuries are often caused by blunt or penetrating trauma.
Maxillofacial Trauma: This type of trauma results in injuries to the face, jaw, or oral structures. Dental injuries and fractures of the jaw or cheekbone are considered maxillofacial trauma.
Amputations: Amputations refer to the loss of a limb or body part due to trauma. They may result from accidents or severe crushing injuries. Machinery accidents in the workplace are a common cause of amputations.
Eye Injuries: This refers to injuries affecting the eyes. They may include corneal abrasions, orbital fractures, and vision loss.
Blast Injuries: These result from explosions. They include primary injuries (due to pressure waves), secondary injuries (caused by flying debris), and tertiary injuries (from being thrown by the blast).
Thermal Trauma: These are caused by extreme temperatures or burns. Examples include burns and frostbite.
Obtaining Compensation for Damages
In personal injury cases, damages refer to the monetary compensation awarded to a person who has suffered harm due to someone else’s actions or negligence.
There are compensatory damages, which aim to compensate the injured party for losses they have suffered. There are economic damages, which refer to tangible losses with a clear monetary value. Examples include medical expenses (current and future), lost wages and loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and property damage.
There are also non-economic damages, which are intangible losses that are harder to quantify. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship (in cases involving severe injuries or death). These can be harder to determine since they have no clear dollar amount attached to them.
Punitive damages may also be available in certain situations. These are awarded to punish the defendant for egregious or malicious conduct and to deter similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are not common and are only awarded in cases where a person’s actions were especially reckless or intentional.
Contact Us Today
A traumatic injury can encompass a variety of trauma, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, amputations, facial trauma, puncture wounds, burns, and hemorrhages. It is important to understand the long-term effects of these injuries, as they can be costly to treat.
The team at Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, can assist you if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Let us help you obtain compensation and justice. Schedule a consultation today by calling (954) 876-4344 or filling out the online form. We have offices in Weston, Coral Gables, and Daytona Beach.