Chicago Abdominal Injury Lawyer

Chicago Abdominal Injury Lawyers | Internal Organ & Blunt Trauma Claims

The abdominal region houses vital organs—your liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, and major blood vessels—so injuries here can be life-threatening and expensive to treat. Internal bleeding or organ damage may not be obvious at first, yet can quickly lead to surgery, ICU care, and long recovery times. If someone’s negligence caused such a severe injury, you deserve help with medical bills, time off work, and future care needs.

That’s why it’s crucial to reach out to a Chicago abdominal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The team of personal injury attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. will investigate what happened, identify who is responsible, and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to under Illinois law. Contact us online or call (312) 236-2900 to get started.

Get Help After an Abdominal Injury in Chicago

Abdominal injuries are often hard to detect after a serious accident. While broken bones may be obvious, internal trauma can present as vague nausea, tenderness, or generalized pain. Bruising may not appear for days. Because delayed symptoms can harm both your health and your claim, seek prompt medical attention and follow all recommendations.

Due to the risks and challenges of recovery, you need a strong legal advocate. Experienced attorneys can connect you with respected specialists and help you access care while your claim is pending. If your injuries stem from another’s negligence, you shouldn’t be stuck paying thousands in medical expenses or losing weeks of income. Our team handles insurer negotiations—and if needed, litigation—so you can focus on healing.

Types of Abdominal Injuries

Abdominal trauma usually falls into two categories: penetrating trauma (an object pierces the abdomen) and blunt trauma (a strong impact without penetration). Both can damage organs and blood vessels and may require emergency surgery.

Common Organ & Internal Injuries

• Spleen Laceration/Rupture: Can cause dangerous internal bleeding requiring splenectomy or embolization.
• Liver Laceration/Contusion: Risk of hemorrhage; higher-grade injuries may need operative repair.
• Bowel Perforation: Tears in the small or large intestine can lead to peritonitis and sepsis; may require resection and temporary ostomy.
• Pancreatic Injury: Often subtle initially; duct injury can necessitate surgery and prolonged nutrition support.
• Kidney Injury: Ranges from contusion to laceration; severe cases can threaten kidney function.
• Bladder/Urethral Injury: Typically associated with pelvic fractures or direct blows; may need catheterization or surgical repair.
• Abdominal Wall Hernia: From seat-belt or crush forces; sometimes requires surgical repair.
• Major Vessel Injury/Internal Hemorrhage: Life-threatening blood loss requiring rapid diagnosis and intervention.

Common Causes of Abdominal Injuries

Many accidents can injure the abdomen and internal organs. Common causes include:

• Vehicle crashes (including high-speed impacts and seat-belt compression)
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Falls on unsafe property (premises liability)
• Workplace incidents (construction strikes, crush injuries, equipment defects)
• Sports injuries (contact sports, handlebar or goalpost impacts)
• Assaults, stabbings, and gunshot wounds (penetrating trauma)
• Medical negligence (missed internal bleeding, delayed diagnosis, surgical error) – see medical malpractice

Signs of Abdominal Injuries

Penetrating trauma is often obvious, but blunt trauma can be easy to miss. After any significant impact, watch for:

• Abdominal pain, guarding, or rigidity
• Tenderness, swelling, or distention
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or bloating
• Bruising or seat-belt marks (may appear days later)
• Blood in urine or stool; black/tarry stool
• Dizziness, fainting, or fast heartbeat (possible internal bleeding)
• Fever, chills, or worsening pain (possible infection)

Act fast: Get checked immediately—even if you aren’t bleeding. Early records help your recovery and create vital evidence for your claim.

How Abdominal Injuries Are Diagnosed & Treated

Hospitals typically use a trauma protocol that may include physical exam, FAST ultrasound, CT scanning, and blood/urine tests. Treatment depends on the organ and injury grade:

• Non-Operative Management: Observation, IV fluids, pain control, serial exams/labs for select stable injuries.
• Interventional Radiology: Angio-embolization to control internal bleeding (e.g., spleen or liver).
• Surgery: Laparoscopy or laparotomy for perforations, ongoing hemorrhage, or organ repair/resection; may involve bowel resection, splenectomy, hernia repair, or bladder reconstruction.
• ICU & Rehab: Some patients require ventilatory support, infection control, nutrition (TPN/feeding tubes), and later PT/OT as mobility returns.

Surgeries and complications (e.g., sepsis, adhesions, ventral hernias, short-bowel syndrome) can significantly increase case value and justify a life-care plan projecting future needs.

Compensation for Abdominal Injuries in Chicago, IL

If your injuries were caused by another party’s negligence, your attorney will pursue full compensation. What you can recover depends on liability, medical evidence, and your long-term prognosis. Potential damages include:

• Medical Costs: ER care, imaging, surgery, ICU/hospitalization, medications, wound care, infection treatment, and follow-up visits.
• Future Medicals: Ostomy care/supplies, hernia repairs, scar revision, nutritional support, fertility counseling after pelvic organ injury, and monitoring for adhesions/obstruction.
• Rehabilitation: Physical and occupational therapy, home health, durable medical equipment, and home or vehicle modifications after complex recoveries.
• Income Loss: Lost wages, reduced hours, job change, or loss of earning capacity due to permanent restrictions.
• Non-Economic Losses: Pain and suffering, loss of normal life, emotional distress, disfigurement/scarring.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Transportation, childcare, caregiver support, and medically required diets/supplies.

For more about how insurers evaluate claims and how we present your damages, see medical expenses and our guide to injury case value.

What Increases the Value of an Abdominal Injury Claim?

• Emergency Surgery or ICU Care: Operative repair, transfusions, and prolonged admissions document severity.
• Objective Findings: CT-confirmed lacerations/perforations, operative reports, pathology, or interventional radiology records.
• Complications: Infections, adhesions/obstruction, ostomy placement, incisional hernias, or chronic abdominal pain.
• Permanent Impact: Activity restrictions, dietary limitations, fertility concerns, or lasting disfigurement/scars.
• Well-Documented Recovery: Consistent follow-up, symptom journaling, and treating-doctor opinions.

Who’s Liable for an Abdominal Injury in Chicago?

Liability flows from negligence: someone owed you a duty of care, breached it, and caused damages. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include negligent drivers, property owners/managers (premises liability), employers/contractors (third-party claims), product manufacturers (defects), and healthcare providers (malpractice). We investigate fault, preserve evidence, and pursue all available insurance coverage to maximize recovery under Illinois law.

Evidence In Abdominal Injury Cases

• EMS/ER records, trauma notes, CT/ultrasound results, operative and discharge reports
• Hospital billing and coding (ICD/CPT) supporting injury severity and treatment
• Follow-up clinic notes, surgical consults, ostomy/hernia care records, and rehab notes
• Work restrictions, HR correspondence, wage documentation, and vocational assessments
• Accident scene photos/video, incident reports, black-box/vehicle data, and witness statements
• Expert opinions (trauma surgery, gastroenterology, urology, life-care planning, economics)

The Chicago Abdominal Injury Claim Process

1. Free Case Evaluation: We assess injuries, liability, and coverage.
2. Investigation: We obtain medical records, imaging, and witness statements; we may consult experts early.
3. Demand & Negotiation: We present a detailed demand with liability proof, medical evidence, and a future-care plan.
4. Settlement or Litigation: Many matters resolve with negotiation/mediation; if not, we file suit and prepare for trial.
5. Resolution & Disbursement: We finalize liens and ensure prompt client disbursement.

For a step-by-step overview, see our guide to the legal process.

Why Hire Staver for an Abdominal Injury Case in Chicago?

• Organ-Injury Experience: We understand trauma grading, operative indications, and how to present complex medical evidence clearly to insurers and juries.
• Medical Network: We collaborate with trauma surgeons, GI specialists, urologists, life-care planners, and economists to fully document present and future needs.
• Client-First Communication: We keep you informed, explain options, and help coordinate care and transportation where needed.
• Trial-Ready Preparation: We build every case as if it may go to trial—maximizing leverage for settlement and protecting you in litigation.
• Contingency Fees: No upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Explore more resources: Personal Injury FAQs  |  How Case Value Is Determined

Contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers Today

After an abdominal injury, time is of the essence. The sooner you work with an experienced, trustworthy Chicago personal injury lawyer, the sooner we can secure evidence, coordinate care, and protect your rights. Let us handle insurers and legal issues while you focus on recovery.

Reach out to Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. online or call (312) 236-2900 for a free consultation.

Chicago Abdominal Injury FAQs

How Soon Should I See a Doctor After a Blow to the Abdomen?

Immediately. Internal injuries can be silent at first and worsen quickly. Early evaluation (often with CT or FAST ultrasound) can catch internal bleeding or organ damage, and prompt documentation helps your health and your claim.

What If My Pain Shows Up Days After the Accident?

Delayed bruising and pain are common with blunt abdominal trauma. Seek care as soon as symptoms appear and tell providers exactly when the accident occurred so your medical records link the injury to the incident.

Does Surgery Increase the Value of an Abdominal Injury Case?

Often, yes. Operative reports, ICU stays, transfusions, and complications provide objective evidence of severity and can justify higher damages, including future care, scar revision, ostomy supplies, or hernia repair.

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly at Fault for My Internal Injuires?

Illinois uses a comparative fault system. Your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault and barred at a certain threshold. A lawyer can evaluate fault arguments and pursue evidence to protect your recovery.

Who Pays My Bills If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?

You may have options through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, med-pay, or a third-party claim against other responsible entities. We analyze all available coverages to maximize your recovery under Illinois law.

How Are Future Medical Costs Proven for Internal Injuries?

We work with treating doctors and life-care planners to project supplies, medications, revision surgeries, therapy, and follow-up care. An economist then calculates lifetime costs to support settlement or trial.

Should I Talk to the Insurance Company about man Internal Injury Before I Hire a Lawyer?

It’s safer to speak with an attorney first. Early statements can be used to minimize your claim, especially when symptoms are evolving. We handle communications and protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File an Abdominal Injury Claim in Illinois?

Many personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury date, but exceptions can apply (e.g., claims involving medical negligence or minors). Consult a lawyer promptly to avoid missing critical deadlines.

Hurt Your Abdomen? Talk to a Chicago Abdominal Injury Attorney Today

After an injury, time is of the essence. The sooner you start working with an experienced, trustworthy Chicago lawyer, the sooner they can begin building your case. Recovering from an abdominal injury will require medical treatment and rest. You don’t need to add stress over legal issues and insurance problems on top of that.

Let us handle your legal needs while you focus on healing. To discuss your case and take the first step in filing a personal injury claim, reach out to Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. online or call us at (312) 236-2900.