What to Know About Chest Contusions
Accidents leave victims with a wide range of injuries, many of which go unnoticed until the victim receives medical attention. Chest contusions are a fairly common injury because they can be caused by falls, physical assaults, and anything else that delivers a blunt blow to the chest.
Serious injuries could cause you significant physical pain, financial instability, time away from work, and long-term health issues. It’s important to fight for the compensation you are owed. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation now.
Understand What a Chest Contusion Is
A chest contusion is basically a bruise caused by blunt force trauma to the chest. It causes pain in many different areas, including your ribs, chest muscles, and cartilage. It is typically worsened by coughing, deep breathing, sneezing, and laughing. Those who suffer chest contusions often brush off their symptoms as general pain from the car accident. They notice an issue when their pain worsens over time or gets significantly worse when there is pressure on the area.
Chest Contusions Aren’t Always Visible
Part of what makes chest contusions dangerous is the fact that they are not immediately identifiable. Blunt force trauma can be extremely painful, but it doesn’t leave an immediate, obvious wound like a penetrating injury does. You may simply assume that you’re experiencing muscular pain from the force of the car accident. Waiting too long to seek medical care can put you at risk for more serious conditions.
If your pain does not go away in the hours or days after a car accident, a chest contusion could be to blame. You may also experience deep purple or black bruising in the area as the skin responds to the trauma.
This is just one reason it’s so important to seek medical care promptly after an accident. While you may not immediately notice a chest contusion, a medical professional can.
You Could Suffer a Bruised Lung After a Chest Contusion
Serious chest contusions can progress and cause more severe injuries, such as a bruised lung. Also known as a pulmonary contusion, a bruised lung can cause mucus buildup in the lungs, low blood pressure, wheezing, fast breathing, and cyanosis. This type of injury requires prompt attention, as lung issues can quickly worsen and put you in critical condition.
The longer a bruised lung goes without treatment, the less oxygen your body receives. A bruised lung is typically treated through frequent coughing, long and deep breaths, pain management, and the use of an incentive spirometer.
Worse Complications May Occur
Other issues may arise with a chest contusion. A respiratory infection can make you feel fatigued, cause you to cough more than normal, and give you headaches. Respiratory infections vary widely in severity, with some resolving on their own with enough rest and others causing lifelong health issues.
One of the most dangerous outcomes of a chest contusion is acute respiratory distress syndrome. This potentially fatal lung injury causes fluid to leak into the lungs. As more fluid builds up, breathing gradually becomes more difficult, and less oxygen makes it into your body. As the disease progresses, it can cause other organs to fail. While ARDS cannot be cured, the condition can be treated if the victim is supported during the healing process.
The Healing Process is Unpredictable
It’s very difficult to predict the recovery timeline of a chest contusion. For some people, symptoms and related health concerns fade away in a matter of days. For others, symptoms drag on for weeks or even months. A lot depends on the type of crash that caused your injuries.
The more severe the injury is, the more likely it is to leave you with lingering side effects. Symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and soreness could linger for a long time. It’s crucial to give yourself plenty of time and rest to support proper healing.
Start Your Personal Injury Claim with Reeves & Mestayer
If you’ve suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you can hold them accountable with a personal injury claim. The team at Reeves & Mestayer can help you fight for the compensation you are owed. To set up a meeting, call us at 228-374-5151 or get in touch with us online.