The human body is made up of numerous internal and external organs. An organ is a group of tissues that work together to perform specific functions necessary for the body to operate properly.
Organs also interact with one another as part of larger bodily systems. When one or more organs are damaged, their ability to function can be reduced or lost entirely, potentially disrupting other interconnected systems throughout the body.
Causes of Organ Damage
Organ damage may occur as a result of disease or underlying medical conditions.
Organs can also be harmed by external factors, including the following:
Trauma
Trauma can come in many forms. Burns from caustic chemicals, heat, or flames can damage the skin, the body’s largest organ. Blunt trauma from a powerful impact to the head can cause the brain to shift, producing a brain injury. Penetrating trauma, such as a slip and fall onto a sharp object, can lacerate or tear the tissues.
Toxic Exposure
Harmful chemicals and other toxins can damage organs. For example, inhaling asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, a chronic lung disease.
In some cases, the chemical effects of a toxin might affect organs indirectly related to the route it entered the body. Glyphosate, a chemical herbicide, can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, when it is inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Oxygen Deprivation
Organs require oxygen for cell metabolism. Without the oxygen supplied by the blood, the tissues die. Oxygen deprivation can result from severe bleeding, respiratory obstruction or failure, lack of circulation, or other disruptions of the circulatory or respiratory systems.
The organs that demand the most oxygen are the most likely to suffer damage due to a lack of oxygen. Specifically, the tissues of the heart and brain die quickly when starved of oxygen.
Organ Damage Examples
Many examples of organ damage can result from causes other than diseases, including the following:
Kidney Failure
The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood so they can be removed from the body. When the kidneys stop functioning properly, harmful waste can build up in the bloodstream, leading to a condition known as kidney failure.
This condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. In some cases, kidney failure may result from traumatic injuries to the lower back, where the kidneys are located.
Lung Failure
A common cause of lung failure is toxins. The lungs bring air into the body to oxygenate the blood. The blood, in turn, carries the oxygen to the body’s cells. When the lungs fail, cells die quickly from oxygen deprivation.
Tobacco smoke, chemicals, and particulates can damage the lung tissues. The lungs can also suffer physical damage due to trauma. For example, a penetrating chest injury can cause air to enter the chest cavity. The air pressure collapses the lung, preventing it from inflating. Even if doctors can relieve the pressure and re-expand the lung, it may be permanently damaged.
Heart Failure
Chronic conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or atherosclerosis, are often the cause of heart failure. However, it can also result from trauma. For example, a chest injury can cause a life-threatening injury called a cardiac tamponade, where fluid fills the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart. The fluid pressure strangles the heart, preventing it from beating properly.
Trauma can also damage the blood vessels. The heart tissues deprived of oxygen can suffer permanent damage.
Traumatic Brain Injury
The brain controls the nervous system. All sensory signals are received and processed by the brain. Likewise, all voluntary and autonomous control signals originate in the brain. When the brain ceases all functions, the body dies. Partial failure can cause paralysis, loss of sensory functions, cognitive impairment, and other functional losses.
Brain injuries can result from blunt injuries, penetrating injuries, toxic exposure, and oxygen deprivation.
The Impact of Organ Damage
Organ failure does not always cause death. Failure of the vital organs, including the brain, heart, and lungs, can be fatal. However, treatment may be available after damage to the other organs. For example, dialysis can substitute for kidney functions.
If the damage to the organ has reduced its functioning without fully destroying it, the person may be able to live with the diminished function. The resulting loss of function may limit the person’s abilities. For example, someone with lung damage may experience symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
In some cases, the disabilities from organ damage are temporary, and the organ will eventually heal. In other cases, the damage is permanent, but the person can live with the resulting disabilities. In the most extreme cases, a transplant may be necessary to replace the failed organ and free the person from ongoing treatment.
Legal Help After Organ Damage Injuries
When organ damage is caused by an accident or another person’s negligence, the injured individual may have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. These cases can involve complex medical evidence and significant long-term consequences, including ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and reduced earning capacity.
A personal injury lawyer can help investigate the cause of the injury, gather medical documentation, and work with experts to demonstrate how the organ damage has affected the victim’s life.
Contact an Austin Personal Injury Lawyer at Anderson Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Organ damage can lead to permanent disabilities and long-term loss of bodily function. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers today at (512) 399-5000 for a free consultation to discuss how the accident affected your health and to learn more about your legal options for pursuing compensation.