While some injuries may be too horrific to contemplate, that does mean they are too horrendous to actually occur. Degloving is one of those such injuries. Every year, individuals experience the pain and terror of having a portion of their skin removed from their bodies. This requires a great deal of medical intervention to correct and can result in long-term complications and permanent disability.
If you have suffered from degloving caused by another person’s negligence, you should speak with a Chicago injury lawyer about recovering compensation. The injury attorneys of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can review your situation to determine who is liable and help you file a personal injury claim.
Call us today at (312) 236-2900 to schedule a free case consultation
What is Degloving?
Degloving is a type of injury when a significant section of the skin is torn away from the underlying tissue with the musculo-skeletal components of the body usually remaining intact. The pulling away of the skin is medically known an avulsion. Most degloving accidents occur on the extremities like hands and fingers. The name for the injury comes from the resemblance of removing a glove from a hand. This injury can also occur on the legs, torso, and face. A head or torso degloving incident is much more likely to be fatal than when this occurs to an extremity.
There are various classifications for degloving injuries:
- Limited abrasion/avulsion
- Non-circumferential
- Circumferential single plane
- Circumferential multiplane
Degloving of extremities requires serious reconstructive surgery to attempt to correct. Surgical options include replantation of the skin or revascularization, which requires reconnecting the blood flow to the skin. When these are not options, skin grafting is a common alternative.
Long-term Consequences of a Degloving Injury
Early intervention is crucial to ensuring the best treatment options are available and that secondary injuries are avoided. The longer it takes for an individual to receive treatment, the less likely a physician will be able to use that person’s own skin as well as the greater risk to the individual’s underlying tissue.
Degloving is a serious injury that can lead:
- Amputation
- Nerve damage, including numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation
- Loss of feeling
- Reduced or complete loss of functioning in the area
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Psychological injuries
When Can Degloving Occur?
These types of injuries occur when the skin is caught on something and pulled at a low speed. If the force moved at a higher speed, the result would include injuries to the muscles, tendons, and bones. What catches the skin is usually irregular or textured surface that does not allow for the skin to slide against it. Degloving can occur when the surface moves the skin outwards or due to the counterforce, such as someone pulling their arm or leg back.
Degloving commonly happens:
- During car accidents, usually when a vehicle runs over a hand or forearm
- With industrial machinery, usually when a hand becomes caught
- With conveyor belts
- Due to ring avulsion, which commonly degloves a single finger
Degloving Injury Caused by Negligence
Auto and workplace accidents are the main causes of degloving injuries and these often take place because someone is careless, reckless, or negligent. For example, an individual operating a car, four-wheeler, or another vehicle may be distracted, inebriated, or not keeping a proper lookout. This could cause the driver to run over your hand, arm, foot, or leg while you are on the ground doing something.
Degloving from machinery and conveyor belts can occur because someone does not turn off the machinery when they are supposed to or tells you it is safe to do something when it actually puts you at risk of injury. For example, if you and another worker are meant to fix a piece of machinery and the other individual was responsible for turning the machine off and disconnecting it from its power source yet does not, they could be held liable for your injuries.
Seeking Compensation for a Degloving Injury
If you suffered a degloving injury because of someone else’s negligence, you should speak with a Chicago injury lawyer immediately. A degloving injury can lead to:
You have a right to seek compensation for these injuries and expenses. Degloving is also the type of injury that may require multiple surgeries and a great deal of physical therapy. You can expect your medical expenses to continue for months or years down the road. Your compensation should reflect your changed future.
Contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Today
When someone else caused this to happen, you have the right to seek compensation for your expenses, lost wages, and your suffering. Speak with the attorneys of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. to learn about filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party. Our main priority will be to recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
For more information on how to recover compensation following a degloving injury, call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900 to schedule a consultation.
