Internal Organ Damage Lawyer in Wisconsin
In the first few minutes following an accident, you may find that you are able to get up, walk around, and otherwise act normally. You may not see any visible bleeding or other external signs of injury. As a result, you may conclude your accident was not that serious, you got lucky, and there is no need to even seek medical attention.
Unfortunately, such assumptions often prove erroneous and costly. Many of the worst injuries from an accident involve internal organ damage. Depending on the nature of such injuries, there may not be any immediately noticeable symptoms or visual indication that something is wrong. It is only a few hours–or even days or weeks–later than you realize something is not quite right.
If you have sustained internal injuries as the result of someone else’s reckless, negligent, or deliberate conduct, you have the right to seek full compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC is a team of dedicated Wisconsin internal damage lawyers who can represent you in filing a personal injury claim against the parties responsible for your losses. Call us today to schedule a free consultation so we can evaluate your case and answer any questions you might have about the legal process moving forward.
What Is Internal Organ Damage?
There are roughly 80 distinct organs in the human body. Any one of them may be damaged due to tearing, bruising, or other form of sudden physical trauma. In Wisconsin personal injury law, we most commonly assist clients who have sustained damage to a vital organ, such as the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or intestines. With the most severe cases, a victim may experience simultaneous failure of multiple organs or long-term damage that cannot be repaired.
Some of the more common causes of internal organ damage that we see in Wisconsin personal injury cases include:
- Car and Truck Accidents: A sudden collision involving any motor vehicle is capable of inflicting blunt force trauma on the human body. This is especially true when the victim lacks protection from the full force of the impact, as is often the case when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. The initial impact–often followed by the spread of debris–can easily damage multiple internal organs within a fraction of a second.
- Animal Bites and Attacks: When someone is mauled by a dog or other vicious animal, the force of a puncture wound can damage internal organs and lead to infection. Under Wisconsin law, dog owners are strictly liable for any damages caused by their pet. This includes any internal organ damage suffered by the victim.
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: Nursing home residents may suffer internal organ damage due to a lack of proper care by their facility.
- Criminal Acts: Intentional acts of physical violence, such as assault and gunshots, are a significant cause of internal organ damage.
Because internal organ damage is often difficult to detect at the outset, it is critical to be mindful of the potential signs. While different types of organ damage will manifest themselves in different ways, these are a few of the symptoms to watch for:
- drowsiness or fatigue;
- fainting or loss of consciousness;
- loss of appetite;
- a yellow tint in the skin or eyes;
- a bluish tint in the lips and/or under the fingernails;
- nausea and vomiting;
- fast, shallow breathing;
- an irregular heartbeat;
- sudden swings in body temperature (e.g., fever or chills)
- swelling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs; and
- constant chest or abdominal pain.
If you experience any of these symptoms following an accident or sudden trauma, you need to seek emergency medical treatment.
Seeking Compensation in Wisconsin for Internal Organ Damage
Under Wisconsin law, a person injured by the negligent or intentional act of another may seek compensation through a civil personal injury lawsuit. Unlike criminal cases, personal injury lawsuits only require a plaintiff to prove by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the defendant’s actions caused their internal organ damage. The plaintiff must also present evidence establishing the scope of their losses, which are known as damages.
Damages are further divided into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include a person’s out-of-pocket and other financial losses directly traceable to their injuries. In the case of internal organ damage, this would include the full costs of the victim’s medical treatment–including the estimated costs of any future care–as well as their lost income if they are forced to miss time from their job or profession while recovering from their injuries.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. Essentially, these damages cover a person’s pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the overall psychological impact on dealing with their injuries. Non-economic damages are often expressed as a multiple of a victim’s economic damages, although there is no precise formula required by Wisconsin law in most cases.
In some cases, a Wisconsin court can also award punitive damages to an accident victim. Punitive damages are limited to cases where a plaintiff “acted maliciously” or in “intentional disregard” of the plaintiff’s rights. Wisconsin does cap punitive damages at twice the amount of compensatory (economic plus non-economic damages) or $200,000, whichever is greater.
Contact a Wisconsin Lawyer for Internal Damage If You Have Sustained Internal Trauma
Personal injury claims involving internal organ damage are often complex, both from a medical and legal standpoint. With respect to the latter, a qualified Wisconsin internal organ damage lawyer can assist you in seeking the maximum compensation available under the law. Contact Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC today to schedule a free consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about the process of filing a personal injury claim, including how we charge for our services.