Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is the term used to describe the formation of a blood clot in one of the deep veins in your body. Blood clots are formed when blood cells, proteins, and platelets “stick together” to form a mass.
Your body forms blood clots to stop bleeding when you get hurt. Generally, the body breaks down the blood clots and removes them after the injury heals. Sometimes, the body might form an abnormal blood clot or fail to break down a blood clot.
DVTs can form anywhere in the body where there is a deep vein, but are common in the thighs, lower legs, and pelvis. The consequences of deep vein thrombosis can cause permanent impairments. In some situations, a DVT could result in death.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Deep Vein Thrombosis?
There are a number of risk factors that increase the chance of developing a deep vein thrombosis. Some of the risk factors for DVT include:
- Increasing age
- Being obese or overweight
- Smoking
- Family history of pulmonary embolism or DVT
- Inherited blood-clotting disorders
- Increased estrogen from pregnancy, taking birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy
- Certain chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer, lung disease, Chron’s disease, and ulcerative colitis
- Slow blood caused by sitting for a long time, paralysis, limited movement, or being confined to a bed
- Catheters located in central veins
Even though risk factors can increase the development of a DVT, two of the most common reasons for deep vein thrombosis are injuries and surgeries.
What Are Some Common Accidents and Personal Injuries Involving Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Trauma and accidents are a leading cause of DVTs. Damaging the veins can cause a blood clot to develop. Additionally, if you cannot move around after an accident, it can increase the risk of a DVT developing.
Examples of accidents that can cause or increase the risk of a DVT include, but are not limited to:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Car accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Bicycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Nursing home neglect and/or abuse
- Defective product injuries (product liability)
- Pedestrian accidents
Once you develop a deep vein thrombosis, you have a higher risk of developing blood clots in the future. You could also develop complications and long-term conditions because of a DVT.
What Are the Long-Term Complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
One of the most common concerns with DVTs is that the blood clot will travel through the deep vein to one of your vital organs. For example, a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that reaches your lungs. The DVT can cause loss of oxygen and blood flow to the lungs, which can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat.
A DVT that reaches your brain is a cerebral embolism. The blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, which can lead to a stroke. Damage to the brain from the lack of blood flow may result in paralysis, changes in hearing or vision, difficulty speaking, problems walking, and changes in balance.
Even if the DVT does not reach a major organ, it can become lodged in a vein or artery. The result could include chronic pain, tissue death, an ulcer, and mobility issues. The DVT could cause permanent impairments, disability, and death.
What Compensation Can I Receive for a DVT Claim?
If another party caused your injury, you may have a claim for damages against that party. A personal injury claim involving a deep vein thrombosis could include compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Decreased earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Diminished quality of life
A DVT might not present any immediate symptoms. Therefore, you may not realize you developed a deep vein thrombosis until days or weeks after an injury or accident. However, the accident or injury could still be the cause of the DVT.
Talk with your medical provider and let them know you were in an accident or suffered an injury. Then, contact our Lafayette personal injury lawyers for a free case review. You could be entitled to compensation for damages.
Who Is Responsible for the Damages Caused by a Deep Vein Thrombosis?
If your DVT is the result of an accident or injury caused by another party, that party may be liable for the damages under Louisiana’s personal injury laws. Examples of parties that could be liable for a personal injury claim include negligent:
- Motorists
- Property owners
- Manufacturers of defective products
- Nursing homes
- Medical providers
- Government entities
- Businesses
Determining liability for damages caused by a DVT can be challenging. It is best to work with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Can I Recover Compensation for a Deep Vein Thrombosis Injury Claim in Louisiana if I’m Partially To Blame for Causing the Accident?
Some states bar a victim from receiving compensation for damages from an at-fault party if the victim has any fault for causing their injuries. Louisiana is on the other side of the spectrum because we have a pure comparative fault law.
You can be partially to blame for the cause of the accident that resulted in deep vein thrombosis and still recover compensation for your damages under the state’s contributory fault standard. However, your compensation is reduced by your level of fault.
For example, a jury awards you $500,000 for your personal injury case. However, the jurors find that you are 45% to blame for causing the accident that resulted in your injuries and damages.
In that case, you would receive 45% less compensation or $275,000. Your level of blame reduces the total amount of your award for causing your deep vein thrombosis.
What Is the Deadline To File a Personal Injury Claim Involving Deep Vein Thrombosis in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is one year from the accident or injury date. Some exceptions might exist depending on the facts of the case, but they are very rare.
Courts can dismiss personal injury lawsuits filed after the statute of limitations expires. Therefore, prompt legal advice is crucial to protect your right to pursue a claim in court. We encourage you to call us today to discuss your case with an attorney.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyers
At Kenny Habetz Injury Law, we handle all types of personal injury claims involving deep vein thrombosis. Call our office at (337) 399-9000 to schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced Lafayette deep vein thrombosis injury lawyer. We fight for fair settlements and jury verdicts for injured victims and their families.
