What is a Contusion?

Accidents and everyday mishaps happen more often than we realize, whether it’s a slip on a wet sidewalk or a fender-bender. When someone else’s negligence is to blame, the injuries you sustain may give you grounds to seek compensation. Among the injuries that can happen are contusions, but what is a contusion? To put it simply, it’s the medical term for a bruise.

These injuries may seem like minor issues at first, but in some cases, they can be more serious than they look. If you’ve experienced a contusion injury that was caused by another party’s negligence, it’s important to understand the nature of your injury and how it might pertain to a personal injury claim.

Types of Contusions

Contusions happen when a forceful or blunt impact breaks the small blood vessels beneath your skin. Although the skin is unbroken, the internal damage can be severe. This means that while a bruise may look minor, the underlying injury could be more serious than it looks.

There are several types of contusions that can happen in different parts of your body, including:

Brain contusions
Spinal cord contusions
Bone contusions
Muscle contusions

Brain Contusion

A brain contusion is one of the most serious types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain is jolted against the skull, causing vessels to rupture and bleed into the surrounding tissue. Unlike superficial bruises on the skin, the damage in a brain contusion starts at the cortical surface and can extend deeper into the brain tissue.

Here’s what happens when someone has a brain contusion:

The internal bleeding creates a wedge-shaped area of injury that shows tiny, scattered hemorrhages.
Some patients may experience only minor symptoms, while others could suffer from cognitive or motor impairments.
Doctors will often do a CT scan to get a better idea of the severity of the injury and plan appropriate treatment.

Due to the serious nature of brain contusions, further evaluation may be necessary if symptoms continue. Advanced imaging studies such as an MRI with Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), and a Neuroquant study can provide a more detailed view of the injury. If the brain contusion fails to heal properly, neuropsychological testing may be recommended to evaluate ongoing cognitive issues and determine next steps for treatment.

Spinal Cord Contusion

A spinal cord contusion is a type of spinal cord injury (SCI) that occurs when a forceful impact causes a bruise within the spinal cord. The spinal cord acts as the main communication pathway between your brain, internal organs, and the rest of your body.

When this structure is bruised, even if the bones of your spine remain intact, the resulting damage can disrupt the nerve impulses that control movement, sensation, and other bodily functions. This injury is most often the result of blunt force trauma.

Bone Contusion

Bones can also suffer from bruising, which is referred to as a bone contusion or bone bruise. This injury happens when a forceful impact causes tiny cracks or microfractures within the bone. These microfractures can affect one or more of the three layers of bone tissue:

Compact bone
Spongy bone
Bone marrow

Additionally, bone bruises are best visualized using imaging tests, like MRI scans, which can find subtle areas of damage that standard x-rays might miss. Unlike a full-blown fracture that requires some downtime to heal, a bone contusion generally allows individuals to maintain their day-to-day activities.

Muscle Contusion

A person can suffer from a muscle contusion when a direct, forceful impact, or series of impacts, damages the muscle fibers and connective tissue. This type of injury can result in significant pain and swelling even if the skin itself isn’t broken. Unlike muscle strains that occur from overstretching or tearing of the fibers, muscle contusions are caused by blunt force trauma that crushes the tissue.

What Can Cause a Contusion Injury?

Contusions can happen in several types of situations. Some common causes include:

If you’ve been injured in any of these situations, remember that under Florida statute 95.11, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a soft tissue injury claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you through the legal process and ensure you meet this deadline, so you can get the compensation you deserve.

Signs and Symptoms of a Contusion

Contusions can present a range of symptoms that vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. Here are some signs to watch for:

Discoloration on the skin (pink, red, blue, purple, or green)
Swelling, stiffness, and aches
A hard lump
Muscle weakness
Pressure in the head, neck, or back in cases of head or spinal contusions
Headaches, loss of consciousness, seizures, slurred speech, and difficulty walking in cases of head injuries

How to Treat a Contusion

If you have a bruise on your skin, you likely don’t need to see a doctor for medical care. However, if you experience any pain or discomfort, there are a few at-home methods that can help:

The RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) a few times a day
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation
Wearing a brace to support the injured area and limit movement

When to Seek Medical Help for a Contusion

If your bruise doesn’t improve on its own or if you suspect there might be more than just a superficial bruise, it might be time to get a professional evaluation. Seeking medical care not only helps manage your recovery but also provides important documentation for any potential personal injury claim.

Consider reaching out to a healthcare provider if:

Your bruise remains or worsens after a few days
The bruise is unusually large or deep
You were in a serious accident
You notice symptoms like severe pain, impaired mobility, or neurological symptoms

Keep in mind if you forgo medical treatment or there are gaps in your treatment, insurance may argue that you are not as injured as you claim to be. As a result, you may be offered a lower settlement, or they may deny your claim altogether.

Additionally, in car accident cases, victims must receive medical care within 14 days of the accident per Florida statute 627.736. If you do not seek treatment within this timeframe, you forfeit your ability to recover any compensation.

How Long Does a Contusion Take to Heal?

The time to heal for a contusion depends on the type of bruise and the extent of the injury. Typically, most contusions resolve within a few days to a couple of weeks. Things like your overall health, the location of the bruise, and how you take care of it can also affect the recovery process.

Let Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A. Fight for Your Rights

If you’ve suffered a contusion due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to act. The personal injury lawyers at Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A. are dedicated to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let our experienced team help you take the next step toward justice.

Sources:

Blunt Force Trauma – StatPearls

Brain Contusion – Conn’s Translational Neuroscience

Bone bruise occurs due to force on structure of bone – UCLA Health

95.11 Limitations other than for the recovery of real property. – The Florida Statutes

627.736 Required personal injury protection benefits; exclusions; priority; claims. – The Florida Legislature

Jack Fine

Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York, and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He then graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1976. In law school, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Fine was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1976, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1977, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, and the United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in 1982.