Accidents happen every day — and sometimes, victims are left bleeding heavily in the aftermath. The human body can only handle so much blood loss before things get dangerous. When a person loses enough blood that their organs can’t function, it becomes a medical emergency. Continue reading to learn how exsanguination can play a critical role in personal injury claims, especially when negligence leads to severe or fatal blood loss.
What Does “Exsanguination” Mean?
Exsanguination means “to drain of blood.” Doctors use the term when a patient has lost around 40% (or more) of their total blood volume, which is around two to three liters for the average adult. The human body holds about five liters under normal circumstances.
When a person loses too much of that blood, their heart struggles to pump it where it needs to go. Vital organs can’t get the oxygen they need, and the body starts to shut down.
How Does Exsanguination Happen?
Car crashes often cause this type of severe blood loss. High-impact accidents can sever major blood vessels and create serious damage to major organs like the spleen, liver, and lungs. Workplace accidents that involve heavy machinery, construction equipment, or sharp tools frequently cause deep cuts that sever arteries or veins.
Falls from high places can cause internal bleeding when organs rupture or blood vessels tear. Even a surgery gone wrong can cause unexpected blood loss.
Physical Signs And Symptoms
Someone experiencing severe blood loss will show several warning signs.
Some of those include:
- Their skin becomes pale and feels cold to the touch
- They might complain of thirst or nausea
- Their breathing becomes fast and shallow as the body tries to compensate for reduced oxygen levels
- Their heart rate increases dramatically, sometimes reaching 120 beats per minute (or higher)
- Their blood pressure drops, leaving them dizzy or confused
As the condition gets worse, their consciousness becomes impaired. They might act disoriented, struggle to stay awake, or pass out entirely. All of these are signs that the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen.
Classifications of Severity
When a person has been in an accident and is “bleeding out,” medical professionals need to know how bad the damage is so they can offer the best treatment. So a system was created to determine just how serious the blood loss is.
Class I
Up to 15% of the total blood volume is gone. Most people don’t feel too terrible at this stage. The body handles it fairly well on its own.
Class II
A person has lost between 15% and 30% of their blood. People can still think and speak clearly at this stage, though their heart rate kicks up and their blood pressure dips a bit.
Class III
Here we’re looking at 30% to 40% blood loss. Blood pressure drops way down, heart rate shoots up, and the person gets confused. They need help right away.
Class IV
More than 40% blood loss puts someone in the exsanguination category.
Impact on Legal Cases
When someone suffers this level of blood loss in an accident, it typically indicates severe trauma that requires extensive medical treatment. Emergency room visits, blood transfusions, surgery, and extended hospital stays create substantial medical expenses.
Victims don’t often survive, so their families are left to pick up the pieces and fight for accountability. Even when a person does make it, recovery can take years — if it happens at all. Either way, the situation creates severe financial hardship for everyone involved.
The psychological impact shouldn’t be overlooked either. Surviving such a traumatic experience often leads to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. These mental health challenges can affect someone’s quality of life long after physical injuries heal.
The Lasting Reality of Severe Blood Loss
Exsanguination represents one of the most serious consequences of traumatic accidents. The physical, emotional, and financial impact of surviving severe blood loss extends far beyond the initial emergency, affecting victims and their families for years to come.
Contact the Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyers at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident, Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Lafayette personal injury attorney.
For more information, please contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Lafayette, LA today. We have three convenient locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
We proudly serve East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette Parish, Orleans Parish, and its surrounding areas:
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Baton Rouge Office
404 Europe Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70124
(225) 263-4787
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
365 Canal Street Suite 415
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130
(504) 294-3804
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Lafayette Office
1318 Camellia Boulevard Suite 206
Lafayette, Louisiana, 70508
(337) 473-2991
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Metairie Office
111 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 255
Metairie, Louisiana, 70005
(888) 601-0127