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Testimonials

A few years ago I was shopping in a large chain store when I slipped in some linseed oil that had been spilled on the floor. I ended up seriously injuring my right shoulder and I eventually needed surgery...

- Robert Nutting
My husband and I were in a serious car accident in which the other driver crossed into our lane and hit us head on. My husband broke his back and I hurt my shoulder so bad that I needed surgery. The first lawyer we hired told us our case was only worth a small amount of money...

- Cheryl H
I came from my home in the United Kingdom to work at a children’s summer camp in northern New Hampshire. Not long after I arrived, I was bitten in the face by a large Akita dog.

- Evie Newbold
Several years ago I was rear-ended while driving and suffered a back injury. The back injury got worse and worse and eventually I was unable to continue working as a landscape architect. Needless to say I was very concerned about my future...

- Rick Kelley
As painful as my injuries and rehabilitation were, I truly did not consider them to be part of the nightmare, because they were, after all, accidents. The actual nightmares were delivered through the callous indifference of insurance companies and the sheer insanity of the Workers Compensation system.

- Diana Willoughby

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Practice Areas

Van Dorn Blog

Automobile Accidents

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries Suffered In New Hampshire Car Accidents

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Sample Cases

Automobile Accidents

Automobile/bicycle collision results are in.

Awarded: $875,000

Rear-end auto accident results in back surgery and loss of quality of life.

Awarded: $750,000

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Abdominal Trauma

Discussion and Causes

Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) occurs when the abdomen collides with a fixed object. This occurs when the body is moving quickly and it is stopped suddenly. This happens most frequently when a car accident propels the body forward or sideways, causing it to collide with a seatbelt, the steering wheel, dashboard or the frame of the vehicle.

Abdominal trauma is the leading cause of trauma, accounting for about 50- 75 percent of trauma incidents. The majority of abdominal traumas occur during a car crash. Though they account for over 50 percent of BAT's auto accidents are not the only trauma to cause organ damage and internal bleeding. The most common causes of blunt abdominal trauma include:

Car accidents
ATV, motorcycle and snowmobile accidents
Auto-pedestrian accidents
Bicycle accidents
Falls
Abuse

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of abdominal trauma may not appear for hours, even days after an accident. This can make diagnosing any complications difficult. Common signs and symptoms of complications from an abdominal injury include:

Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Pain or pressure in the abdomen
Fainting
Changes in vision
Bloating in the abdomen
Changes in or trouble using the restroom
Blood in stool or urine

Range of Injuries

Any and all internal organs and blood vessels can be affected during an auto accident. Some of the more common forms of internal injuries caused by abdominal trauma include:

Ruptured spleen
Tears or fissures in the intestine (gastrointestinal tract)
Damage to the liver
Injury to the kidneys
Damage to the pancreas
Injury to major blood vessels
Damage to reproductive organs

If you have been injured and have any reason to suspect abdominal trauma or an injury please be seen by a medical professional immediately.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing abdominal trauma can be difficult. Signs of internal bleeding and organ damage may not manifest for days after an accident. Diagnostic tools used by medical professionals include:

Physical examination including measuring the abdomen over time
Laparoscopy (to check for sources of internal bleeding)
Abdominal surgery (to find injuries and repair damage)
CT Scans
Ultrasounds

Abdominal trauma can be serious as it often causes major internal damage. If you have been injured on the job or have been involved in a car accident please contact an attorney at Van Dorn & Curtiss today. Only an experienced New Hampshire lawyer can ensure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries.