Personal injury cases may encompass a wide array of injuries and damages. Bodily harm is an inherent part of these claims, and your injuries may be external or internal. Damage to internal organs may be quite serious, even life-threatening in certain situations. Proving damages for these kinds of injuries can be difficult, as they are not outwardly visibly.
Evidence of damage to internal organs may include medical records pertaining to your injuries and treatment, details of your pain, and possibly expert testimony from doctors who can explain the nature of your injuries to a jury. Such injuries are known to happen in various accidents, including car crashes, violence (e.g., shootings, stabbings, fights), and falling accidents. The statute of limitations for personal injuries in New York gives us only 3 years to file a case. We might need this time to watch as your injuries either recover or possibly worsen, as this may affect your claim for damages.
Get a confidential, free case review by calling our NY personal injury attorneys with The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.
Evidence of Internal Organ Damage in a Personal Injury Case
Gathering evidence of injuries to your internal organs might be challenging since these injuries are not outwardly visible. As such, we may need to find proof of your injuries and get help from medical experts to explain them in court.
First, our NY personal injury attorneys should get copies of your medical records from the hospital where you were treated. These records may indicate how your internal injuries were diagnosed and treated. These records may also include your doctor’s notes regarding how the injuries could have been inflicted.
Your doctor may be able to testify in court about your injuries. In cases where damage to internal organs is severe or complex, a medical expert’s explanations may be crucial.
We should also get evidence of your pain from the injuries. Since pain is not exactly something you can see or hold up in front of a jury, we may need you to testify about your pain and injuries. Your lawyer can help you prepare your testimony so that it is clear, succinct, and accurate.
How Damage to Internal Organs May Occur in NY
The nature of your injury may determine the type of evidence we need to prove your internal injuries. While every case and accident is unique, certain accidents tend to be more common than others and may be worth talking about with your attorney.
Car accidents are very common in New York, and victims may experience internal organ damage. This may range from minor injuries that can fully heal over time to serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. You might be driving your own vehicle, riding a bike, or crossing the street on foot when the accident occurs.
Others might suffer internal organ injuries because of intentional acts of violence. Unfortunately, violence is a common problem in major cities like New York City and many other places across the country. Shootings, stabbings, or blunt force trauma may lead to dire internal organ damage.
You might also experience internal organ damage from a fall. This could be something as simple as falling down the stairs while walking down to a subway station or slipping in a store while shopping. A fall can be worse than many people realize, and you should be checked by a doctor immediately.
Proving Damages Related to Internal Organ Injuries
Internal organ damage can lead to a whole host of medical complications that can be difficult to treat and may take a serious toll on your daily life. As such, damages may be substantial.
Internal organ damage may result in the loss or limitation of certain bodily functions. As such, you might experience a loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life because of your injuries. Some internal injuries may be so severe that they lead to lifelong complications or disabilities, and you may claim significant damages for how your life is altered.
We should also consider the economic expenses of your injuries. Hospital bills are known for being high in many injury cases, but treatment for internal organ damage may be extensive and more costly. We should also consider how your injuries impact your ability to continue working. If you cannot work, you may claim the value of lost income.
How Long Do We Have to Prove Internal Organ Damage in a NY Personal Injury Case?
Proving claims related to internal organ damage can be tricky because these are complicated injuries that may evolve over time, but we have a limited amount of time in which to file your case.
The statute of limitations under C.V.P. Law § 214 allows us only 3 years from when you are injured to file the case. You may need more time than this to recover, and we may not fully understand the implications of your injuries for some time.
While starting case preparations with a lawyer as soon as possible is advisable, we might need time to see how your injuries progress. Some people heal steadily over time, and their condition improves. Others experience complications that cause their health to deteriorate further. Still, others recover somewhat, but they are never 100% back to normal.
How your injuries change over time may influence the damages we claim in a personal injury case. If your injuries worsen, you can add additional damages for things like pain and medical bills.
Signs of Internal Organ Damage
If you were recently injured in an accident, you should talk to your doctor about what signs to look out for that might indicate internal organ damage.
Some symptoms are easy to dismiss, but you should take them very seriously. Depending on the organs damaged in the accident, you might experience feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness. You might also feel fatigued and experience shortness of breath.
More serious symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention may include difficulty breathing, intense pain, and coughing up blood. Some symptoms are indicative of damage to a specific organ. For example, if you notice yellowing of the skin and eyes, you likely have liver damage.
Get Legal Help Now From Our NY Personal Injury Attorneys
Get a confidential, free case review by calling our Staten Island personal injury attorneys with The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.