Top Accidental Injuries That Require Surgery in Alaska
Even though you try to stay safe and protect your family from injuries, statistics indicate that accidents are still a common threat for millions of Americans. Data compiled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that, every year, almost 23.9 million people seek medical treatment at emergency rooms because of accidental injuries. Traffic collisions are a common cause of unintentional harm, including car, rideshare, truck, and motorcycle crashes. Slip and falls, other accidents on property, defective products, and many other mishaps also lead to trauma.
However, some injuries are so severe and catastrophic that they require surgery to repair affected body parts, alleviate pain, or restore as much function as possible after disability. Because the costs can be extreme, it is critical to review your legal options with an Alaska personal injury attorney. Your physical, financial, and emotional losses could be devastating if you need surgery due to:
Head Injuries
The violent, physical impact from an accident can lead the brain to shift inside the skull, potentially causing bruising of the delicate tissues. Plus, any blow can cause chemical changes within the brain, leading to varying levels of concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries often require surgery to alleviate pressure in the brain or repair torn tissues.
Trauma to Internal Organs
The torso contains many of the organs you need to survive, and they are in harm’s way in many types of accidents. Serious conditions like cardiac arrest or heart attack can occur in the immediate aftermath because of trauma to the heart and lungs. The kidney, spleen, and liver are the most frequently injured organs to the left side of the body. Harm to these organs can lead to life-threatening conditions and even death without emergency surgery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
There are two types of spinal cord injuries that are common in accidents:
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries, in which the spinal cord is stretched, torn, or disrupted, but NOT severed; and,
- Complete spinal cord injuries, where the cord is severed.
These injuries cause different consequences for a victim depending upon the location of the spine affected. Surgery may help correct damage to the spinal cord, but some victims are left unable to walk.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Because these incidents typically cause injuries to the face and hands, a victim will often require extensive medical procedures. Corrective surgery is often necessary to repair nerve damage and torn skin. However, the severity and scarring of dog bites means many victims will need cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance and boost self-esteem.
Discuss Legal Options with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Anchorage
Surgery is expensive, invasive, and risky, and it hits especially hard when you need it because of injuries suffered in an accident caused by someone else. You have rights as an injured victim, so please contact Power & Power Law to learn more about them. You can reach our offices in Anchorage, AK, by calling 907-222-9990 or visiting us online. We can set up a free case evaluation with an experienced Alaska personal injury attorney