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Contusions are injuries that occur when damaged tissue leaks blood below the surface of the skin. A contusion is the medical term for a bruise. These common injuries range from a child’s bruised knee to deep-tissue contusions on muscles and organs with serious pain, impacts on mobility, and the potential for more serious harm to organs and internal structures.
If you got a contusion injury from an accident, contact a New Haven personal injury lawyer online or call (203) 888-8888 for a free consultation.
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Contusions happen when one or more strong blows crush not only the skin on the body’s surface, but also the underlying fat, muscle, and connective tissue. The crushed and damaged tissue fibers allow blood from tiny capillaries and other blood vessels to leak into surrounding tissue causing a darkened “bruised” appearance.
A contusion first looks reddened, then black and blue, finally fading to purple and yellow during the healing process. Serious contusions also cause swelling, pain, and tenderness.
Because of the inflammation associated with serious bruises, a contusion can cause symptoms such as stiffness, soreness, pain during movement, and extreme tenderness. Bruises on internal structures such as deep muscle tissue or organs can be serious. Contusions to the chest or abdomen can signal internal organ damage with the potential for serious harm. Warning signs that a contusion should be examined by a doctor include:
Contusions sometimes occur to bones as well, when the tiny blood vessels feeding oxygen to the bone tissue suffer damage from a hard blow. Bone contusions cause pain, stiffness, mobility problems, or trouble bending or using the bruised body part.
Serious contusions should always be examined by a doctor. Bruises to internal organs including to the heart muscles can have adverse effects on organ function.
Contusions are serious when they occur in sensitive brain tissue, impacting the brain from the outside inward. A brain contusion occurs when the head suffers a serious blow or a powerful shake that causes the brain to bump or twist against the inside of the skull. A brain contusion causes bleeding and swelling in the portion of the brain that suffered the injury.
Small contusions on the brain may have no symptoms or long-term effects, but large, deeply penetrating brain bruises can cause cell death, brain damage, or even death — a brain injury attorney in New Haven can help you get a settlement you deserve.
Contusions take time to heal. Small contusions may fade and stop feeling tender within a few days, but deep contusions may require weeks or even months to heal. Medical providers typically recommend RICE: or rest, ice, compress, and elevation. Serious bone contusions in the limbs may require a brace to immobilize the area during healing.
Contusions on internal organs may require anti-inflammatory medications to facilitate faster healing. Injury victims may also require over-the-counter pain medication to manage pain, achiness, and tenderness in the bruised area.
Contusions can significantly impact the injury victim’s life, causing a temporary disruption to their ability to earn, and often requiring an emergency room visit to rule out fractures or more serious soft-tissue injuries like sprains and strains.
If the bruise resulted from a car accident, slip-and-fall, or other fault-based injury caused by another party’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for common damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Weber & Rubano today so we can evaluate your case and begin strategizing your recovery.