Few things are more dangerous than a blood clot. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a clot forms in your leg and travels through your body toward your heart, lungs, and/or brain. If the clot is not identified and treated right away, there can be life-threatening and even deadly consequences. Unfortunately, there is a significant risk of developing deep vein thrombosis if you have been involved in a traumatic accident.
When someone else is to blame for your injury, you have the right to file a claim for damages. Contact our experienced San Diego deep vein thrombosis injury attorney to find out how we can help you get the money you deserve.
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, involves the development of a blood clot in a vein deep inside the body. In most cases, the clot is formed inside of the leg or thigh. There are many signs and symptoms to indicate that you may be suffering from deep vein thrombosis. Most symptoms of DVT develop in the foot, calf, and/or thigh of the leg in which the clot has developed.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you notice:
- Unusual cramping in your leg
- Isolated swelling in one foot, ankle or leg
- Pain and tenderness in the leg
- Redness and discoloration
- Isolated warm areas of the skin, and/or
- Swollen veins.
A medical professional will be able to identify your blood clot and intervene before it has the ability to dislodge and travel to your vital organs. Once a clot reaches your heart, lungs, or brain, the consequences can be devastating.
Complications Associated with DVT
Blood clots can do a lot of damage as they travel through the body and once they reach an organ. The specific complications that you may experience will depend on where the blood clot travels.
Cerebral Embolism. A cerebral embolism occurs when a blood clot that formed in a different part of the body reaches the brain. Strokes are likely to occur when the cerebral embolism blocks blood flow to the brain. In 15, approximately 1 in 5 strokes is the result of a cerebral embolism.
Pulmonary Embolism. Pulmonary embolisms occur when the blood vessels in your lungs are blocked by a blood clot. In most cases, the blood clot develops outside of the lungs themselves. If a pulmonary embolism is not treated right away, the consequences can be deadly. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Blood in your cough, or
- Chest pains or racing pulse.
These symptoms, especially followed by pain, swelling, or discomfort in one of your legs, are likely a signal of a life-threatening condition.
Venous Stress Disorder. A blood clot can do a lot of damage to your body as it travels through your veins. As a clot moves, it can block blood flow and supply to various parts of the body. This is known as venous stress disorder or post-phlebitic syndrome, and can result in:
- Tissue death
- Ulcers
- Limited mobility, and
- Chronic pain.
Always seek medical attention if you believe you may have developed a blood clot.
Factors That Increase Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that can happen for a number of reasons. While you can develop DVT even if you are perfectly healthy, there are factors that can increase your risk. These include:
- Age
- Weight
- Gender
- Family history
- Smoking
- Certain medications, including birth control, and
- Previous injury.
You are also more susceptible to DVT if you remain seated for long periods of time. The more you get up and more, the better your blood can flow through your body.
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis can develop naturally if you are high risk, or it can be the result of a traumatic event. Three primary causes of DVT include: accidents, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect.
Accidents and DVT
When you are involved in a traumatic accident you may have an increased risk of developing a blood clot. The sheer force of the accident can cause you to suffer extensive internal damage. Your body will work tirelessly to try to repair itself on its own. However, the extent of the damage is likely too great. This is worsened when your accident prevents you from moving. When you are immobilized your body may have a difficult time pumping blood throughout your body. This creates a circumstance in which blood clots are most likely to develop.
Blood clots may develop if you are injured in a:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Recreational vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Defective product accidents
- Slips and falls
- Construction accidents, and
- Workplace accidents.
It is important to seek medical attention after an accident. A thorough medical assessment will help to rule out life-threatening complications like a blood clot.
Nursing Home Neglect
Immobility is a huge factor in the development of blood clots. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents are simply allowed to remain in bed or seated in a chair for the majority of their days. Nursing homes have an obligation to make sure that nursing home residents get the care they need to remain healthy. Neglecting to get residents up and moving, even if only for a little bit, can have disastrous consequences.
Medical Malpractice
Blood clots can develop if you are put under anesthesia for a medical procedure. When you consent to surgery or medical care, you trust that your team of medical professionals will search for, diagnose, and treat any blood clots that may develop. When medical professionals are negligent, they can be liable for harm that results from a blood clot.
Why You Should File a Deep Vein Thrombosis Injury Lawsuit
Complications related to DVT can be devastating. You may suffer from chronic pain, lose mobility, or even become paralyzed after a stroke. In addition to physical and emotional trauma, you’ll probably also experience significant financial issues. Medical bills can add up quickly and lost wages will just make matters worse. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover the money you need and deserve.
It’s important for you to focus on getting better after you experience DVT and any complications. Hiring an attorney to handle your personal injury lawsuit will give you the time you need and allow you to maximize your compensation. At Injury Trial Lawyers, we know how devastating an injury like DVT can be. We will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf while you focus on your recovery.
Here’s what you can expect when you hire our experienced San Diego personal injury lawyers to handle your case:
Protection. Insurance companies will want to minimize your payout. We will not let them take advantage of you during this difficult time. We’ll hold them accountable for any harm you have suffered.
Determining Liability. It’s important to identify all possible causes of your injury. Once this is done, we can determine who is responsible for your harm. We’ll pursue compensation from anyone who contributed to your DVT injury.
Proper Valuation. How much is your case worth? It’s hard to answer this question without a careful and thorough investigation. Our attorneys work side-by-side with financial experts to make sure that the full extent of your injuries are identified and properly valued.
Minimizing Fault. Don’t worry if you share fault for your accident or injury. You can still recover money as long as someone else is also to blame. Through our investigation, we will gather evidence that limits your liability and shifts blame to others. This will help to maximize your recovery.
Call Our San Diego Deep Vein Thrombosis Injury Attorney
If you have suffered deep vein thrombosis because of an accident or act of negligence, you have the right to demand compensation. Contact Injury Trial Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with our skilled legal team of San Diego deep vein thrombosis injury attorney. We understand how devastating an injury like DVT can be and will fight to get you the money you deserve. Call us today to learn more.