A chest injury describes any trauma to the chest, including penetrating trauma and blunt force trauma. Blunt force trauma occurs when something applies force to the chest, such as hitting a steering wheel in a car accident or slamming onto a hard surface because of a fall. Penetrating chest injuries occur when a foreign object enters the chest cavity, such as a bullet from a gunshot or a piece of metal from an explosion.
What Types of Chest Injuries Are Common in Las Vegas Personal Injury Cases?
Chest injuries account for about a quarter of the blunt trauma deaths in the United States. They are among the most deadly injuries a person can sustain.
Examples of chest injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Internal organ damage, including injuries to the lungs and heart
- Bruised, fractured, and broken ribs
- Soft tissue damage and muscle strains
- Injuries to the trachea and esophagus
- Puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Ruptured diaphragm
Because chest injuries include damage to the internal organs in the chest cavity, a chest injury can lead to severe complications. For example, a chest injury involving the lungs could cause respiratory problems, while an injury to the heart could cause cardiovascular problems.
Immediate medical treatment is the best way to reduce the risk of severe complications from a chest injury. Prompt diagnosis and a treatment plan improve the chance of recovery and survival. It also supports a personal injury claim against the person who caused your injuries.
Chest Injuries Can Cause Long-Term Health Consequences
If you sustain a chest injury in an accident, you may develop permanent impairments because of the injury.
Examples of the complications and long-term consequences of a chest injury include, but are not limited to:
- Respiratory failure
- Chronic pain
- Infections
- Wrongful death
- Pneumonia
- Long-term pulmonary problems
- Hearth damage
- Nerve damage
- Pleural sepsis
The severity of the chest injury depends on the factors of the case. A person’s age, health, and prior injuries can impact the severity of the chest injury. Likewise, the type of accident and the circumstances of the accident can impact how severe a chest injury is for a person.
Signs and Symptoms of a Chest Injury After an Accident in Las Vegas
Chest injury symptoms may be felt immediately after an accident. However, the symptoms may begin days after the accident or worsen. It is wise to see a medical provider as soon as possible for a complete examination to detect injuries that might not be immediately apparent.
Signs of a chest injury include:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain that worsens when you cough or breathe
- Discoloration and bruising
- Sharp or dull chest pains
- Difficulty breathing
- Detachment of part of the rib cage from the chest wall (flail chest)
You may experience other symptoms after a chest injury. Regardless of whether you feel okay, see a doctor immediately. Chest injuries can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Common Causes of Chest Injuries in Las Vegas, NV
Negligence is a common cause of chest injuries. Negligence is the failure to meet a standard of care or use the same level of care that a prudent person would use in a similar situation.
Examples of accidents and incidents that could result in a chest injury include:
- Car accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Truck accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
Intentional torts may also cause chest injuries. Assaults, stabbings, gunshots, and other acts of violence may result in a traumatic chest injury.
Nevada is an at-fault state for personal injury claims. If you prove that another party caused your injury, you can demand compensation for your damages from the at-fault party. However, you must prove duty of care, breach of duty, and causation in addition to proving damages to win your case.
How Much Is My Chest Injury Worth in Las Vegas, NV?
Injured victims can receive compensation for their injuries, financial losses, pain, and suffering. The value of their damages depends on the factors of their case.
Factors that can determine how much your chest injury case is worth include:
- The type of chest injury you sustained
- The severity of impairments or disabilities caused by the chest injury
- The type of medical treatments required for your injury
- The duration of your recovery period
- Whether you can return to work
- The level of scarring and disfigurement caused by the chest injury
- The impact the chest injury has on your daily life and your relationships with family and friends
- The availability and policy limits of insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence proving the legal elements of your case
Determining the value of damages for a chest injury claim can be challenging, especially when you sustain a permanent impairment. An experienced Las Vegas chest injury lawyer may hire medical specialists, financial professionals, and other experts to provide additional evidence proving the severity and value of your damages.
What Types of Damages Can I Receive for a Chest Injury Claim in Las Vegas, NV?
You can seek damages for your expenses and monetary losses (economic damages). You may also recover money for your suffering and pain (non-economic damages).
Examples of the damages you could receive for a chest injury claim include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost wages and benefits
- Long-term nursing and/or personal care
- Decreased earning capacity
- Impairments and disabilities
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Diminished quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life
Documenting your damages is crucial for maximizing the amount you receive for a personal injury settlement or jury verdict. Our legal team helps you gather information to prove your damages, but you can help. Keep copies of all documents, invoices, bills, and receipts related to your chest injury. Make notes about your recovery in a pain and suffering journal.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Chest Injury Claim in Nevada?
The statute of limitations in Nevada for most personal injury claims is two years after the injury date. If you don’t file a lawsuit before that time, you could lose your right to pursue a claim through the courts.
However, there are exceptions to the general deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. We strongly recommend seeking advice from an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing a deadline to file a chest injury claim.
Get More Information from a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer
Chest injuries can result in long-term complications and impairments. If you have questions about a chest injury claim or need help filing a claim, contact De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers at (702) 222-9999. Our Las Vegas chest injury lawyers are available for a free consultation.