Our Injury Lawyers Can Help You Navigate the Different Options to Seek Compensation for the Long-Lasting Effects of Blunt Force Trauma Injuries in New Jersey
Blunt force trauma refers to any injury suffered by a person that is caused by a blunt object hitting the person. Blunt force trauma is extremely serious and can cause a lot of damage, both visible and beneath the surface of the skin. Blunt force trauma is also known as “non-penetrating” trauma. A blunt object can usually be classified as having a dull surface that would not cause a cut in a person’s skin.
Injuries Commonly Associated with Blunt Force Trauma
Common kinds of blunt force trauma injuries can be bruises or contusions, abrasions, internal hemorrhages, or internal bleeding, lacerations, or cuts, and fractures of the bone. Bruises are caused when the blunt object ruptures capillaries beneath the skin but does not cut the skin. Abrasions are simply scrapes on the top layer of the skin, otherwise known as the epidermis. Internal bleeding happens beneath the surface of the skin when the blunt object causes severe damage to a blood vessel. Lacerations occur when the blunt object causes the outer layer of the skin to tear but leaving the innermost layer of the skin to remain intact. Fractures are simply broken bones that can be easily caused by blunt forced trauma.
How does Blunt Force Trauma Occur?
Blunt force trauma can be caused by almost anything. The most common causes, however, are slip and fall accidents, assaults, and sports incidents. Fall accidents occur when blunt objects fall on worksites or out of windows, and the like. People can fall on top of blunt objects or fall into the path of a blunt object. Accidents can happen in a number of ways. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common. Cars are blunt objects that cause blunt force trauma all the time.
Bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents are also a common place when it comes to blunt force trauma. Bicyclists can be hit by cars or other blunt objects while riding, especially in a highly populated areas. Pedestrians can also be hit by blunt force objects, such as cars, bicycles, or other dangers.
Organs that can be Affected by Blunt Force Trauma
The brain is an organ that is very commonly injured by blunt force trauma, which can lead to many problems, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). Furthermore, the organs located near your abdomen are commonly injury as a result of blunt force trauma. This includes your liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen, and bladder.
Can I Sue for Blunt Force Trauma in New Jersey?
The good news is that you can sue the person that is at fault for causing a blunt force trauma to you. It all depends on when, where, and how you suffered the blunt force trauma.
What If I Suffer Blunt Force Trauma at Work in NJ?
If you are injured at work, you can most likely file a workers’ compensation claim. In New Jersey, most employers are required to carry insurance policies for you to utilize and file claims if you are injured while at work.
If your employer has a workers’ compensation insurance policy for you to utilize and you are injured while on the job, you cannot sue your employer for negligence. Workers’ compensation would be your only remedy if you suffer blunt force trauma while working, unless a third party was negligent in causing your blunt force trauma injuries. Then, you can file a separate personal injury claim against the liable party as well.
Possible Recoverable Losses in a Blunt Force Trauma Lawsuit
If successful, you can collect specific damages as a result of your lawsuit. You may be able to collect both economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages. Economic damages consist of the monies lost as a result of your injury, such as your job or potential earning capacity. This also includes any medical expenses and property damage. Non-economic damages include any pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and the emotional distress that you suffered as a result of the blunt force trauma. Punitive damages act as a deterrence for people to refrain or take great care in preventing what the defendant did to you. They are meant to be a punishment for gross negligence.
Differences Between Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Claims for Blunt Force Trauma
Personal injury occurs when someone else has been negligent, and such negligence causes injury to you. Workers compensation is when you get injured at work. It is an insurance policy that your employer must subscribe to in case you or another employee gets hurt on the job. In either of these cases, injury can be caused by blunt force objects, and you can suffer blunt force trauma. However, what you need to do in personal injury cases and workers’ compensation cases differentiates as to what it takes to be successful.
Speak to Our Injury Lawyers Regarding Your Compensation Options for Blunt Force Trauma Injuries in NJ
An experienced attorney in matters such as these is absolutely crucial to your success and to make sure that you are justly compensated. Our seasoned New Jersey personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyers will handle your case from start to finish and do all the things that you do not know how to do when seeking just compensation for your blunt force trauma injuries. Our attorneys will also do it with great care and great skill because we know exactly what is needed for you to be successful. We will negotiate with any insurance companies, which can be notoriously ruthless, and assist you when presenting your case to the court and adversary in such a way that establishes the required elements of negligence.
Call (732) 303-7857 to speak with an attorney in a free consultation if you have questions about filing a claim for blunt force trauma. With local offices in Asbury Park, we assist clients in Freehold, Belmar, Red Bank, Jackson, Neptune, Toms River, Lavallette, Point Pleasant, Middletown, and many other Ocean and Monmouth County areas.
