“Exsanguination” refers to someone losing so much blood that their heart can no longer pump, usually leading to death. If a loved one bled to death because of an accident that another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused, then you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation on behalf of your loved one.
Understanding Exsanguination
The human body can withstand some blood loss, but losing too much in a short period of time can quickly overwhelm the cardiovascular system. Losing 20% of your blood is a life-threatening emergency. A loss of 40% or more is likely to lead to hypovolemic shock. If medical care isn’t available, this is followed rapidly by death.
The most common signs that someone may be suffering from potentially fatal blood loss include:
- Rapid breathing
- Pale and clammy skin
- Anxiety and agitation
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Exsanguination can occur for a variety of reasons, with severe car accidents being one main cause. In crashes involving high speeds and rollovers, amputations can occur. Metal, glass, and other materials may sever arteries and lead someone to bleed out.
Falls, too, can lead to penetrating injuries that cause internal bleeding. These are most common when falling from heights, such as can occur in workplace accidents, but even slip and fall accidents could result in exsanguination if the person lands on anything that cuts into them.
In some instances, medical complications can also lead to bleeding out. This is a concern during surgeries if a surgeon makes an error, and it can also be a result of medical negligence if a woman hemorrhages after childbirth.
Filing a Claim After an Exsanguination Death
After the death of a loved one that occurred because of another party’s conduct, you may be entitled to begin a wrongful death claim. These are similar to personal injury claims, with the main difference being that the victim is not able to speak for themselves. In Georgia, close family members or the estate’s representative can file a wrongful death claim.
As with other personal injury cases, you must demonstrate that the other party owed your loved one a duty of care that they breached and that the breach led to the exsanguination.
Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to take this legal action. Georgia generally gives you two years from the date of the person’s death to begin a claim, though you should never wait that long.
If you win your wrongful death claim, you can recover compensation for the medical expenses that your loved one incurred before their death, as well as for the cost of their funeral and burial.
Additionally, you can receive compensation for the financial support you would have gotten from your loved one throughout their life, as well as for companionship and losses that aren’t financial in nature. If your loved one provided services for which you’ll have to hire someone else, those costs, too, can be covered by the damages you receive.
Your attorney can help you calculate the damages you may be entitled to.
Contact the Kennesaw Personal Injury Lawyers at Starks Byron, P.C. for Help Today
Wrongful death claims that involve exsanguination are difficult not only because the law is complicated, but also because you’ll be grieving their loss. An attorney can investigate the accident that resulted in your loved one’s death and gather the strongest evidence to demonstrate that the other party was responsible.
By aggressively negotiating with insurance companies and taking your case to court, if necessary, a good attorney knows how to get compensation for a loved one’s death by exsanguination.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Kennesaw, GA today.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710,
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
