Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Discuss Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

At Montlick and Associates, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys have represented countless people facing all types of injuries, including a significant proportion of those who sustained trauma to the abdomen. As we have seen, sometimes abdominal trauma can be mild and resolve on its own, or it can lead to the development of a potentially life threatening condition known as abdominal compartment syndrome ("ACS"). If you sustained abdominal trauma due to ACS as a result of an accident, you should be entitled to significant compensation. Contact Montlick and Associates now to learn more about your legal rights and options. This blog article will discuss ACS as it pertains to personal injury claims. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and, if you believe you have sustained a serious medical condition such as ACS, you should consult a medical doctor immediately.

What is ACS?

ACS refers to an increase of pressure within the abdomen that can lead to damage to the surrounding organs such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, stomach and intestines. The most common cause of ACS is due to blunt force trauma to the abdomen, usually as a result of high impact car accident or a fall from a great height. In ACS, the pressure can build within the abdomen to the point where it can cause damage to the abdominal organs. It can also lead to a decrease in blood supply to the abdominal organs as the pressure within the abdominal cavity compresses the blood vessels that supply each organ.

Symptoms of ACS

ACS can have either a delayed or rapid onset, depending upon the nature of the accident causing it. In either case, most people experience abdominal pain and bloating as the first telltale sign of the condition. People also commonly experience difficulty breathing and have shortness of breath. A rather ominous sign of ACS is decreased urine output, which signals severe trauma to the kidneys, which are particularly vulnerable to a compressive injury.

How is ACS Treated?

Treatment for ACS is immediate survey to open the abdominal cavity and relieve the pressure (called surgical decompression) before organ damage can occur. If ACS results in permanent damage to certain abdominal organs, organ transplant might be necessary. Sometimes, ACS can lead to bladder and bowel dysfunction, which can require years of rehabilitative measures, medications and even surgery.

Call Montlick and Associates Now if You Sustained Abdominal Injuries

If you were injured in an auto accident and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is critical that you seek medical attention immediately. It is also important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Montlick and Associates to help you learn more about your legal rights and options as well as begin the process to protect those rights. The attorneys at Montlick and Associates are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast

No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Sources:
ajcc.aacnjournals.org
www.webmd.com