Truck Accident Spleen Injuries
Damage to the spleen is a common abdominal injury, and the organ’s location makes it particularly vulnerable in a vehicle collision.
If the spleen ruptures, the resulting damage can prove life-threatening, causing a medical emergency.
Spleen Injury Causes
The spleen is a soft, spongy organ located on the left side of the body beneath the rib cage. It helps to prevent infection from spreading by filtering damaged blood cells out of the bloodstream.
The spleen also produces white blood cells to fight infection, and stores extra blood until it’s needed.
Due to the spleen’s location, it’s easily ruptured by lower chest or upper abdominal trauma. The spleen may rupture immediately, or it may not rupture until many days or even weeks after a vehicle accident. A ruptured spleen can cause blood to spill into the abdomen, and this internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
Immediate medical attention is required if an injury victim experiences any of the following symptoms:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fainting
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Severe stomach or back pain
Spleen Injury Treatment
Fortunately, some spleen injuries are mild enough to respond to nonsurgical treatment. Minor tears to the spleen may heal themselves, but they typically require several blood transfusions and plenty of bed rest.
A more serious injury might necessitate immediate surgical intervention in order to prevent potentially fatal hemorrhaging. The spleen can be repaired with surgery, but in many cases it must be removed completely via a splenectomy. Since the spleen is an important component of the immune system, injury victims undergoing a splenectomy are at increased risk of serious infections.
Receiving Compensation
If you’ve suffered spleen injuries due to a vehicle accident, you may be entitled to collect damages for the medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering you’ve endured. You need an experienced truck accident attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
To learn more, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by clicking the Live Chat button on this page.