The human body can continue to function if it suffers a degree of blood loss. Once this loss reaches a certain threshold, however, the heart struggles to pump, and the various tissues and organs throughout the body start shutting down.
If another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct led you or a loved one to experience life-threatening blood loss, then filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim can allow you to obtain compensation. Learn more about exsanguination and what pursuing a civil action can mean.
How Does Exsanguination Affect the Body?
Exsanguination is severe or fatal blood loss, commonly called bleeding out. The average adult has approximately five to six liters of blood, although the amount varies by body size.
As blood loss increases, the heart beats faster to maintain circulation. Losing approximately 30% to 40% of circulating blood can cause dangerously low blood pressure and hypovolemic shock, although shock can develop earlier.
Losing more than 40% can cause severe shock, confusion, unconsciousness, and organ failure. Without emergency treatment, exsanguination can be fatal.
What Causes Exsanguination?
Exsanguination can result from traumatic injuries that damage major blood vessels or cause extensive internal bleeding.
Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Serious car crashes can cause deep lacerations, severed arteries, or internal organ damage.
- Workplace accidents: Heavy machinery, falls, and other incidents can cause severe traumatic injuries.
- Penetrating injuries: Stab wounds and other penetrating trauma can damage major blood vessels.
- Severe falls: Falls from significant heights can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs.
- Medical emergencies: Conditions such as a ruptured aortic aneurysm can cause sudden, life-threatening internal bleeding.
Because internal bleeding may not be immediately visible, a person can experience dangerous blood loss without an obvious external wound.
Is Exsanguination Always Fatal?
Exsanguination is not always fatal. Survival depends on factors such as the amount and speed of blood loss, the underlying injury, and how quickly emergency medical treatment begins.
Treatment focuses on controlling the bleeding and restoring circulation. Depending on the circumstances, medical professionals may use blood transfusions, intravenous fluids, emergency surgery, or other interventions to stabilize the patient.
Severe blood loss is a medical emergency. Anyone experiencing uncontrolled bleeding or symptoms of shock requires immediate emergency medical attention.
Can You File a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim After Exsanguination?
If another party’s negligence caused severe blood loss, the injured person may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. Generally, this requires proving that the responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused injuries resulting in compensable damages.
Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses supported by the evidence.
If a loved one dies from severe blood loss caused by another party’s negligence, their family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation may be available for lost financial support, funeral expenses, and other qualifying losses.
What Is the Deadline for Filing an Exsanguination Injury Claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally allows two years from the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit and two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Different rules may apply to survival actions.
Exceptions and shorter notice requirements, particularly for claims involving public entities, may apply. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent recovery.
Contact the Cherry Hill Personal Injury Lawyers at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Exsanguination can cause life-threatening injuries and devastating losses for families. When severe blood loss results from another party’s negligence, understanding your legal options can be an important step toward pursuing accountability and financial compensation.
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers represents injured individuals and families in Cherry Hill and throughout New Jersey. Our Cherry Hill personal injury attorneys can investigate the circumstances of an accident, identify potentially liable parties, and help clients pursue personal injury, wrongful death, or survival claims when appropriate.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.
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