Orange County Compartment Syndrome Lawyers
Serious Complications from Violent Accidents
Our limbs have groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves that are known as compartments. These compartments are surrounded by a hardy membrane called fascia. The fascia help give our body their shape, but, because of that, they do not stretch or move easily. If the muscle in the compartments begins to swell due to an injury, then the pressure has nowhere to go or escape to. This leads to intense pain and it has the potential to cause permanent disability. When the swelling begins, it is known as compartment syndrome.
The lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie know full well how dangerous and debilitating compartment syndrome can be. We have seen the impact it has on the lives of those who suffer from it and on their families. If you or a loved one have developed compartment syndrome due to someone else’s act of negligence, then you deserve compensation and they deserve to be held accountable for their actions. Contact us today at (949) 752-7474. Don’t allow yourself to suffer because of someone else’s bod decisions.
Common Causes of Compartment Syndrome
Most often, compartment syndrome is caused by injures to the muscles in your limbs. However, how you get those injuries varies greatly. There is the chance that you received injuries from a bad fall, a vehicle accident, or even an electrical burn. If you are worried about developing compartment syndrome, the injuries and scenarios you should watch out for are:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Intense muscle bruising
- Tight bandages or casts
- Use of certain anabolic steroids
- Burn injuries, especially if caused by high-voltage electricity
- Restricted blood flow that is suddenly reestablished
- Crush injuries
Compartment syndrome is a common after-effect of car accidents. Unfortunately, it is one that doesn’t show itself until well after an initial medical exam. It is very possible to be recovered from a fracture, only to find yourself experiencing the intense symptoms of compartment syndrome.
Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome can be difficult to detect, especially if it develops as a result of a severe injury. The most telling symptom of the syndrome is intense pain, but if you have already suffered a bad fracture or broken bone, you may assume the pain is from the original injury. That’s why it’s so important to watch for the other symptoms. Those include:
- Swelling of the impacted limb
- Tightness of the muscles and skin of the impacted limb
- Intense bruising
- Extreme, persistent pain that lasts long after the initial injury healed
- Burning or pins and needles sensation in the impacted limb
- The impacted limb becomes numb over time
- Lack of motor control of the impacted limb
- Lowered pulse in the impacted limb
If you are experiencing constant pain, numbness, and a lack of motor control in a limb that should have healed some time ago, contact your doctor immediately. You may have developed compartment syndrome.
How Compartment Syndrome Is Treated
Compartment syndrome can only be treated with surgery. It is considered an emergency, and once you are diagnosed, it is likely that you will be given the corrective surgery as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose compartment syndrome. Your medical provider will have to rule out other, more common injuries before you can receive the treatment you need.
The corrective surgery for compartment syndrome is called fasciotomy. The procedure involves the surgeon making an incision into the impacted limb, cutting the fascia open, and allowing the pressure to be released. If the swelling is too severe, then the cut will not be able to be closed. A skin graft may be used to fix the issue, but scarring can be left behind.
Compartment Syndrome Consequences
On top of the potential scarring, if compartment syndrome is not diagnosed and treated quickly enough, it can have drastic consequences. Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to different parts of our body, and without that blood flow, the muscles in your impacted limb will start to slowly die. This leaves you unable to use that limb, and you may spend the rest of your life with a permanent disability.
The medical bills associated with compartment syndrome can also be incredibly high. Because it can be hard to properly diagnose, you may need to go through multiple tests and treatments before you are actually given a fasciotomy.
The incredible pain that comes with the syndrome can also make it incredibly difficult to work, whatever your job may be. As a result, you may have to take days off that you simply can’t afford. You may also need to stay home from work in order to recovery after your treatment, and if you become disabled as a result of not being treated soon enough, there is the possibility you will not be able to keep performing the duties required at your work.
Hiring A Skilled Attorney
Ultimately, compartment syndrome can, and often does, leave your life in shambles. You shouldn’t have to suffer because someone else acted negligently. If you developed compartment syndrome due to an act of negligence and someone else’s bad choices, you need a skilled Orange County injury lawyer at your side, fighting for you. We at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have years of experience helping those in need. We know the ropes and know how to guide our clients through the personal injury claims process. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (949) 752-7474 to find out what we can do for you.
Additional Information
- Compartment Syndrome | AAOS
- Compartment Syndrome: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Acute Compartment Syndrome
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