There are many types of accidents that occur where a common injury can be cuts, wounds and lacerations, such as an auto accident, slip and fall and a dog bite attack. The definition of a laceration is cuts or tears in the skin that is caused by broken glass in a car accident, debris during a slip and fall or from a canines nails or teeth. A laceration can also be caused by blunt force trauma such as can occur during a auto accident and can range in severity from minor to critical or even fatal.

General Information About Cuts, Wounds and Lacerations

• A laceration is when the skin is wounded by splitting or separating and in many cases this is a jagged cut rather than a straight slit in the skin. This is especially true if the laceration is caused by blunt force trauma, which can occur during a fall or a car crash;

• Cuts are caused by sharp objects such as glass during a car crash;

• A gash is when the laceration is long or deep;

• An avulsion is when the skin and tissue is torn away from the body;

• An abrasion is when the skin is scrapped but not torn or cut.

Cuts, Wounds, Gashes and Laceration Causes

Many different types of accidents can cause the cut, wound; gash or laceration and these can be traumatic injuries due to the way they have occurred. This means they can have long lasting effects as a result, because of their location or severity.

• Car, motorcycle, truck and bus accidents;

• Bicycle and Pedestrian accidents;

• Construction site accidents, falls from ladders or a roof;

• Slipping and falling in a area that is wet or poorly maintained;

• Falling on an escalator;

• Dog bites;

• Assault or abuse.

The Severity and Location of the Laceration

A cut, wound, gash or laceration can take place anywhere on the body, they are external and there are some common places where lacerations occur include the face, arms and legs. The deep laceration can be serious if there is damage to the muscle or bone, and when the laceration is facial it can require extensive treatment to avoid disfigurement.

Symptoms That Can Occur With A Laceration

When a laceration has occurred it is not difficult to see it usually, although blood may be covering the laceration. The symptoms can include:

• Pain is usually a symptom;

• Bleeding;

• Fainting from loss of blood or head trauma;

• Exposure of the tissue below the skin, muscle or bone;

• Infection can occur from the lacerated area;

• Disfigurement from the laceration.

Treatment For Cuts, Gashes, wounds and Lacerations

The treatment for a cut, gash, wound or laceration will depend on the location, the depth and size of the injury. The first treatment for the injury will be to stop the bleeding and other treatments include:

• The laceration will be cleaned to prevent infection and promote proper healing;

• There is often medication given to numb the pain, which can be a topical application or an injection;

• A tetanus shot is often given during treatment due to the way these types of injuries occur;

• The laceration will be properly stitched, glued taped and immobilized if needed;

• Facial injuries often require specialized treatment to avoid disfigurement;

• There will be topical medications, bandage or dressing maintenance.

The Complications That Can Occur With Lacerations:

Lacerations need immediate medical care to heal properly and when they are not they can be fatal from loss of blood or infection. Scarring or debilitation can also be a factor from not being medically treated, along with other problems:

• There can be continued pain when a laceration is not treated properly;

• There can be weakness including fainting from loss of blood;

• There can be infection, which will include other symptoms such as fever, redness at the site of the laceration, swelling and pus or drainage;

• There can be scarring that can also include keloids;

• There can be infection that can lead to death or death from loss of blood.

When you or a loved one has suffered a cut, gash, wound or laceration during an accident the Ehline Law Offices have experienced attorneys in dealing with cases of lacerations. Call now at 888-400-9721.