Chest injuries can range from external injuries to internal organ damage causing pain and discomfort. Additionally, your lung could puncture, making it very difficult to breathe and your liver or spleen may also be susceptible to damage.
There can be additional challenges during the recovery period such as chest infections due to shallow breathing as a result of pain levels.
Chest injuries can happen as a result of direct impact, through:
- A road traffic accident
- Slips, trips and falls
- An accident at work
- Playing contact sports
- An assault
Recovery can be long and painful, particularly if you face added complications as a result of the chest injury.
The effects of chest injuries can include:
- Haemothorax – A collection of blood between the lung and the chest wall, caused by a blunt injury
- Pneumothorax – Changes in pressure within the chest can lead to a collapsed lung. People suffering from a pneumothorax can experience breathing difficulties, chest pain and can cough up blood.
- Cardiac and associated blood vessel injury– Such as trauma to the coronary artery or a tear in the aorta artery.
Chest injuries typically result in:
- Trouble breathing
- Bruising and swelling
- Pain in the chest that is exacerbated through laughing, coughing and sneezing
- Tenderness around the ribs
- Pain when twisting the body
The length of time it takes to settle your claim depends on 3 factors; whether the other party admits they were at fault, the severity of injuries, and the amount of your losses and expenses. A straightforward rib or chest injury claim can be settled within 3 months but in complex cases they may take more than a year.