Heart Contusions in Car Accidents

Seat belts save thousands of lives each year, but they can still cause injuries, especially to the chest and internal organs. Collisions generate forces which put intense pressure on the body. When a person is thrown forward, their seat belt can compress against their breastbone, also called the sternum. The sternum can then press against the heart, leading to a myocardial contusion, also called a heart contusion. According to one study, around 18% of those who suffer blunt force trauma will end up with a myocardial contusion.

This is a major injury. The risk of cardiac arrest increases significantly. Injured victims need time to heal and will probably require time off from work to promote recovery. Call Hoy Law to discuss any car accident. We can handle the negotiation process for a settlement, or we can file a lawsuit if necessary to obtain compensation for internal injuries.

Is a Heart Contusion a Serious Injury?

Yes, a myocardial contusion is a significant injury. It is caused by a blunt impact to the heart, usually from the sternum. Of course, some contusions are more significant than others. A minor bruise might not cause significant disruption or even manifest symptoms. However, other accident victims feel intense chest pain and irregular heartbeats, which are clear signs something is wrong.

Heart contusions are usually caused by sternal fractures (broken sternum) or blunt force trauma when the sternum is pushed backwards. High-speed collisions, including head-on and rear-end crashes, are common accidents leading to this diagnosis.

Some symptoms of a heart contusion include:

• Pain in your ribs, especially around your breastbone.
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Heart palpitations.

Treatment can vary. Some patients simply need to rest, especially if the contusion is not large. Other patients might need to be admitted into the hospital for close monitoring of their vital signs in the ICU. Still other accident victims require the installation of a pacemaker to regulate their heartbeats. Some car accident survivors are stuck at home for months.

A myocardial contusion has many side effects, including abnormal heart rhythms, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, and even sudden death.

Our clients can request compensation for a heart contusion to cover the full cost of medical care, including surgery or stints in the ICU. Other economic damages include lost wages or income, as well as any car repairs. Our firm can also negotiate compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, PTSD, and other hard-to-calculate losses.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Hoy Law

Internal injuries are so dangerous because they are often difficult to diagnose. If you feel pain after a crash, please go to the hospital. It’s possible you have suffered a heart or lung injury which could be life threatening. Once you have a diagnosis or are stabilized, reach out to Hoy Law to discuss who is possibly liable for the accident, as well as your rights to financial compensation. We offer a free consultation with one of our Sioux Falls internal injury lawyers.

Sources:

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23130-myocardial-contusion

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10225099/