Colostomy Following Auto Accidents
Colostomy Following Auto Accidents – Whenever someone sets foot inside a car, tragedy can strike. Some of the statistics published by the Insurance Information Institute found that:
- In 2016, more than 40,000 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents.
- This includes close to 5,000 people who were riding a motorcycle.
- Another 7,000 were pedestrians who were struck by motor vehicles.
This information demonstrates that many families are irreparably harmed by motor vehicle accidents every year. Even for those who don’t die, there are thousands more who suffer permanent injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident. It is important for everyone to understand that some of these injuries can lead to major quality of life issues. One example is trauma to the recto-sigmoid area of the body, which could lead to an invasive surgical procedure.
Colostomy Following Auto Accidents
A recent study was published regarding the quality of life that individuals have following a colostomy. One of the ways that people could require a colostomy is following a car accident. In a crash, it is possible for people to sustain penetrating injuries to various parts of the body including the:
- Head
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Pelvis
- Rectum
- Groin
Sometimes, these penetrating injuries can damage the intestinal tract. The intestines need to be completely connected in order to move food throughout the digestive tract. When damage to the intestines occurs, they may not be able to be reconnected. As a result, some people require a surgical procedure called a colostomy.
Quality of Life Issues Following a Colostomy
In the event of rectal trauma, the rectum may not be able to be reattached to the anus in a functional way. As a result, people need to have their intestines connected to the abdominal wall; however, people cannot control their abdominal wall in the same way that they control their rectum. Therefore, a bag is attached to the abdominal wall that collects feces. This can lead to numerous quality of life issues due to:
- The costs of maintaining the bags and the site.
- The smell and appearance of the bag.
- Anxiety over people noticing the bag and the smell.
- Emotional problems from the fear and anxiety stemming from the injury.
Sometimes, this can cause people to have issues maintaining attendance at work and school.
Help from a Lawyer
When someone requires a colostomy following a traumatic accident, there are many quality of life issues to consider. Some of the questions that often arise following this procedure include:
- Am I going to require regular doctor visits for the rest of my life?
- What if I have a complication following the completion of this surgical procedure?
- Will I be able to go to work and do my job with the same level of quality as before the accident?
- Am I going to be able to afford to take care of the colostomy?
- Is my insurance provider going to cover the bill for my hospital stay? What about the future medical appointments and equipment?
These are very real concerns that nobody should ever be faulted for. Because of this, it is important to meet with a Sacramento car accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer can provide families with the tools that they need to be successful following an accident. Don’t hesitate to call because you and your family may be entitled to financial compensation.
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Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. Rectal trauma in an auto accident can lead to major quality of life problems. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Colostomy Following Auto Accidents
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