Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury — The Serious Nature of a Sheared, Lacerated, or Ruptured Liver Due to Blunt Trauma Accidents

The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan

Animated Medical Illustration of the Human Liver

What Is A Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury?

The liver is a large organ located on the right side of the belly and protected by the rib-cage. 5% of trauma patients suffer liver injuries. Above the liver is the gallbladder, pancreas and intestines. These organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food. The liver filters blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body; detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs; secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines; and makes proteins necessary for blood clotting.

What Causes A Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury?

The liver is the most frequently injured abdominal organ in blunt trauma scenarios. The second most common injury to the liver occurs when there is penetrating abdominal trauma. Any form of blunt force directed at the abdomen can result in trauma to the liver. The liver tissue may be sheared, lacerated, or ruptured. This will cause internal bleeding, bile leakage, or a combination of both. This type of injury is common in car crashes, work related accidents, and falls from extreme heights.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury?

Injury to the liver may not be visible at first. A person may experience abdominal discomfort, bleeding, tenderness, shock, a rapid heartbeat, fast and shallow breathing, pale skin, and lightheadedness. If shearing occurs or the bile ducts impacted, the acidic bile can leak into the liver tissue or abdominal cavity causing irritation, tissue injury, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting, and possible feeding intolerance.

How Is A Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury Diagnosed?

A laparoscopy is a study of the abdomen using a tiny camera. The camera is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. The camera a detected a ruptured liver.  X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests help doctors determine the extent of the liver damage and if any internal bleeding or bile leakage is occurring.

How Is A Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury Treated?

Treatment for a hepatic injury depends on the severity of the injury. Active bleeding is monitored to ensure blood pressure and heart rate remains stable. If active bleeding occurs, efforts to stop it with surgery are necessary to preserve life. If the bile ducts are damaged, surgery may be necessary to repair the ducts.

Compensation For A Blunt Trauma Hepatic Injury

If you have experienced abdominal discomfort or have been diagnosed with a blunt trauma hepatic injury after a traumatic incident or a car crash, you may have injured your liver. Make sure you are examined and diagnosed by a medical doctor immediately. You may be able to pursue compensation for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, permanent injury or disability, costs of physical therapy and rehabilitation, lost wages from missed work, diminished earning capacity, mental anguish and emotional distress, punitive damages, and/or property damage or loss.

Did you suffer a liver injury in an accident? Our Boston area personal injury attorneys will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. No-obligation. No fee if no recovery

If you or a loved one experienced active bleeding or bile leakage after a blunt trauma hepatic injury because of someone else’s negligence and would like to discuss your legal options, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation. The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan has a proven track record with over 35 years of legal experience representing victims of serious injuries in southeastern Massachusetts.

For a free initial consultation, call our Boston area accident victim attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step towards getting fair compensation for your injuries or for the loss of a loved one. You can also click here to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.

We offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you understand your rights and the value of your case.

Our Boston Ruptured Liver Lawyer assists motor vehicle accident victims throughout all of Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Norton; Cape Cod, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Lynn, Lawrence, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Dorchester, Roxbury and Somerville.