The Symptoms of a Collapsed Lung
While it is surprising to many people, a collapsed lung can actually be very difficult to diagnose. For many victims, a collapsed lung feels similar to having the wind knocked out of you. It is not always easy for a person to fully understand the true severity of their injury. This is why victims must seek medical attention. A collapsed lung must be treated.
Some common symptoms that indicate that you may have suffered a collapsed lung injury include:
- Severe chest pain
- Dull aching in the shoulder
- Increased heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Unusually shallow breathing
- Tightness
- Unusual fatigue
It is important to note that collapsed lung injuries can vary widely. Some collapsed lungs are small and resolve with oxygen and monitoring, while others are severe and require chest tubes, intensive care, or emergency surgery. Traumatic pneumothorax caused by an accident is often more serious than spontaneous cases and carries a higher risk of complications. Some of these injuries are far more severe than others.
If you believe that you may have suffered any type of lung injury, you must seek immediate medical attention. You should also follow all recommended medical care, attend follow-up imaging appointments, and avoid discussing your injury with insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney who understands collapsed lung cases.
Intensive Care May Be Required: Victims Need Full Financial Compensation
Victims who suffered a collapsed lung must be able to access the full compensation available to them under the law. Negligent parties that cause accidents must be held responsible for their careless or reckless conduct. Insurance companies often argue that a collapsed lung was pre-existing, minor, or unrelated to the accident. They may also pressure you to settle before complications appear or before the full extent of your injury is known.
In some cases, injured victims will require extensive medical treatment to deal with their lung injury. This depends entirely on the severity of the collapsed lung. For moderate injuries, doctors may give a victim supplemental oxygen and order a few weeks of rest. Emergency surgery may be required to fix the injury in the most serious cases. Even after treatment, you may face long-term breathing limitations, chronic pain, reduced stamina, or an increased risk of a future lung collapse. These lasting effects can interfere with physically demanding work, daily activities, and your overall quality of life.
As with any surgery, there is always the risk of additional complications. At GJEL, our California collapsed lung injury lawyers fight to ensure our clients can recover the maximum available financial relief. Collapsed lung cases often involve complex medical causation issues, delayed symptoms, and disputes over severity, making experienced legal representation critical to protecting your claim and full financial recovery.
Compensation may be awarded for:
- Emergency medical care
- Other medical bills
- Rehabilitative treatment
- Lost income, including loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment
- Reduced quality of life
The value of your claim can increase significantly if your injury required a chest tube, surgery, intensive care, or caused permanent lung impairment, extended time off work, or ongoing medical monitoring.
Did You Suffer a Collapsed Lung Injury in an Accident?
We can help. At GJEL, our legal team has extensive experience handling collapsed lung injury claims. If you suffered a collapsed lung injury in an accident, please do not hesitate to contact our California personal injury lawyers for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. With offices and client meeting locations in over a dozen cities throughout Northern California, our law firm is ready to provide convenient legal services to you and your family.
In the wake of a collapsed lung injury, victims face not only the immediate trauma and pain but also the long-term repercussions of medical treatment, potential surgeries, and lost income.
The subtle nature of pneumothorax symptoms can often lead to delayed diagnosis, compounding the severity of the injury and the resulting financial strain. Securing adequate compensation is crucial for victims to navigate the complex recovery process and regain stability in their lives.
Therefore, seeking the expertise of experienced collapsed lung injury lawyers is paramount. GJEL Accident Attorneys understands the unique challenges associated with these cases and is committed to advocating for victims’ rights. Proving a collapsed lung claim often requires emergency room records, imaging such as X-rays or CT scans, physician or pulmonologist reports, and medical documentation linking the trauma of your accident directly to the lung injury.
By meticulously documenting medical records, calculating lost wages, and pursuing compensation for pain and suffering, they strive to ensure that those affected receive the maximum financial relief possible, enabling them to focus on healing and rebuilding their future.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin is a founding partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has practiced personal injury law in California state and federal courts since 1970. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School and co-founded GJEL in 1972. Over the course of his career, Andy has helped hundreds of injured plaintiffs recover compensation, including multiple seven-figure settlements and verdicts. He specializes in serious injury and wrongful death cases and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, with recognition from Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
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