What Is A Pulmonary Contusion?
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of pulmonary contusion.
A pulmonary contusion is a bruise of the lung caused by chest trauma. Because of damage to the capillaries, blood and other fluids accumulate in the lung tissue. This excessive fluid buildup interferes with the lung’s natural gas exchange process. In the lungs, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in air sacs at the end of bronchial tubes. When this process is interrupted, an inadequate supply of oxygen is measured in the bloodstream and may lead to hypoxia. Hypoxia is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.
What Causes A Pulmonary Contusion?
Pulmonary contusions are a result of blunt trauma, car accidents, explosion injuries, or falls. The breastbone or rib cage can fracture or break affecting internal organs, including the lungs.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Pulmonary Contusion?
Some victims experience chest pain and cough up blood, following blunt trauma or a car accident. Other people have trouble breathing. Within the first 24 hours following impact, the bruised lung starts to show poor gas exchange. Breathing becomes labored and difficult. Some people exhibit cyanosis – a blue coloring – a sign the body is not receiving enough oxygen. (Source:trauma.org)
How Is A Pulmonary Contusion Diagnosed?
It is difficult for a medical doctor to observe a pulmonary contusion without the aid of medical imaging. Clinical examine and imaging confirm the diagnosis. The first line of tests to establish a diagnosis are chest x-rays and CT scans. Blunt lung injury develops over 24 hours.
How Is A Pulmonary Contusion Treated?
Treatment for a pulmonary contusion depends on the extent of damage to the gas exchange process and its effect on breathing. Some cases resolve themselves after a couple of weeks’ rest. More severe cases, on the other hand, may need mechanical ventilation treatment. Mechanical ventilation helps support or completely control breathing until the body is able to handle the function normally.
Compensation For A Pulmonary Contusion
If you are experiencing chest pain and coughing up blood after a traumatic incident or a car crash, you may have a pulmonary contusion. 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.
Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorneys for Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a pulmonary contusion because of someone else’s negligence and would like to discuss your legal options, contact an experienced Boston Pulmonary Contusion Injury Attorney 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 chest injuries in southeastern Massachusetts.
For a free, no-obligation case review and consultation call our law firm today 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 Bruised Lung lawyer assists motor vehicle and other 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, Everett, Revere, Dorchester, Roxbury and Somerville.
