Abdominal Hernia From Auto Accident

The lap belt you are wearing while driving can cause such pressure on the abdominal wall during a car accident that the wall tears. When your body is forced against the lap belt, especially at high speeds, your abdomen and all your organs in your abdomen can be compressed on one part of your abdomen while putting excessive pressure on the another part of the abdominal wall. This would be similar to stepping on one end of an inflated balloon causing the balloon to burst at the other end.

The connection between an auto accident and an abdominal hernia, however, is difficult to make. The hernia could have existed before the accident, and you did not even know you had it. You might have had an abdominal hernia repair in past in the same area of your body. If time elapses after the car accident, the hernia can be blamed on subsequent activity.

There may be difficulties in diagnosing that an abdominal hernia exists until after any swelling goes down or accumulated blood in the abdomen (a hematoma) from the trauma of the collision dissipates. Studies have shown that high tech imaging (i.e., CT scans and MRI's) can fail to reveal abdominal injuries in an emergency department setting depending on the condition of the abdomen at that time. Don't hesitate to visit your doctor soon after the swelling and/or hematoma have dissipated if you still feel something is wrong that was not diagnosed. A follow-up CT Scan and/or MRI days later may reveal what may have been missed in the ER on the day of the accident.

If you believe that you are suffering from an undiagnosed abdominal injury after an auto accident, you may be suffering from an abdominal hernia noted by some of the following symptoms:

• An unusual lump that can be felt or seen.

• Pain in the abdomen which can range from almost non-existent (at least at first) to a heaviness/discomfort in the area to sever pain. Pain possibly when you are sitting or bending.

• An unusual full feeling.

• Indigestion.

• Referring nerve pain to other parts of your body.

• Vomiting.

• Muscle weakness in the particular abdominal area.

I recently helped a client recover compensation for an abdominal hernia in just such a situation. The sooner you followup with your doctor the better after your initial ER visit if you believe there are problems that may have gone undiagnosed.

Be sure that you recover for all of your present AND future medical expenses, lost wages (if applicable) and pain and suffering resulting from your personal injury. The safest course is to consult with an Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The facts and evidence need to be identified and preserved, and your medical condition needs to be carefully monitored. Contact the Law Office Of Sidney Weinstein, 24/7, for a free accident and personal injury consultation by calling 404-522-3108. We can come to you at your home or any of the Atlanta, Georgia area hospitals including Grady Memorial Hospital and Atlanta Medical Center.