Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition in which blood clots form in your leg. A blood clot is a solid or gel-like clump of blood cells and proteins.

DVT can become a serious threat to your health when a clot breaks away and travels through your veins. Clots can reduce blood flow and cause serious damage if they are able to reach your heart, lungs, or brain.

What Causes Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis is not typically a condition that manifests on its own in a healthy individual.

Certain risk factors are associated with the blood clot condition, including:

Age
Obesity
Hormones
Pregnancy
Cancer
Traveling by air
Limited mobility
Heart disease
Medical negligence
Genes and family history
Smoking
Lung disease, and
Ulcerative colitis.

Accidents and Deep Vein Thrombosis

Accidents and trauma are also leading causes of DVT. Damage to the veins themselves can trigger the formation of dangerous blood clots. If you’re seriously injured in an accident, you may not be able to move for an extended period of time while you recover. The less you move, the more prone you are to developing deep vein thrombosis.

Accidents that can cause or increase the risk of DVT include:

Once you suffer from DVT, you will be more likely to develop blood clots in the future.

What Are Signs and Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis can occur shortly after you’ve been involved in an accident or had surgery. Other times, blood clots may not begin to form until days, weeks, or months later. It’s important to be aware of any adverse changes in your health as you recover. Signs of deep vein thrombosis include:

Pain and cramping in the legs
Swelling of the legs, feet, or ankles
Skin reddening or discoloration, and
Skin warm to the touch.

Early diagnosis can help to prevent blood clots from traveling through your body and causing serious damage. Do not hesitate to seek medical assistance if you experience any symptoms of DVT.

What Are the Long-Term Risks of DVT?

The primary concern with deep vein thrombosis is that a blood clot will break away and travel to one of your vital organs. The type of damage this can cause will depend on where the clot travels and which organ, if any, it reaches.

Pulmonary Embolism

You can suffer a pulmonary embolism if a blood clot reaches your lungs. The clot wedges itself into an artery in your lungs, preventing blood from reaching portions of the organ. A loss of blood flow and oxygen can cause the organ to shut down and die. As a result, your lungs are unable to do their job and distribute oxygen to your body. This can be life-threatening.

Signs of pulmonary embolism include:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Fever
Cough
Dizziness, and
Irregular heartbeat.

Pulmonary embolisms can be fatal, so do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms.

Cerebral Embolism and Stroke

You can suffer a cerebral embolism if a blood clot reaches your brain. The clot reaches your brain and blocks blood flow to the organ. This can cause a stroke, which can have life-threatening and fatal consequences.

Signs of cerebral embolism and stroke include:

Paralysis
Changes in vision or hearing
Headache, and
Difficulty walking, balancing, or speaking.

Approximately 1 out of every 5 strokes is caused by a cerebral embolism. Many of these cases involve patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

Postphlebitic Syndrome

DVT blood clots can do a lot of damage even if they don’t reach one of your vital organs. A clot is a thick collection of platelets and proteins. It can easily become lodged in an artery or vein and limit blood flow to certain areas of the body.

Risks associated with postphlebitic syndrome include:

Chronic pain
Mobility issues
Tissue death
Skin discoloration, and
Ulcer.

Postphlebitic syndrome, which is also known as post-thrombotic syndrome, can cause potentially permanent and painful damage to your health. Seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have developed a blood clot after a Miami accident.

Who is Liable for My Deep Vein Thrombosis Injuries?

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that can manifest if you’ve been involved in a traumatic event, such as an accident, surgery, or assault. In Florida, anyone who contributes to your injury can be liable for damages. You have the right to demand compensation from anyone who shares fault for your DVT injury.

This can include:

Negligent drivers, motorists, or pedestrians
Manufacturers of defective products
Abusive nursing home staff
Employers
Negligent medical professionals, and
Any other negligent party.

Determining liability can be difficult. It’s always best to work with an experienced attorney. Call Lavent Law, P.A. if you have suffered deep vein thrombosis after a Miami accident.

What Compensation is Available to Victims of DVT?

The costs of an unexpected injury can be overwhelming. One moment you think you’re fine; the next you’re racing to the hospital because a blood clot has traveled from your leg to your lungs or brain. Medical bills can add up quickly. You may be forced to miss time at work as you recover. Your injury may even cause a disability and prevent you from returning to work at all. As a result, the financial pressure of your DVT injury can become too much to handle on your own. When someone else is to blame, you shouldn’t have to.

At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys will pursue damages on your behalf, including money for:

Medical bills
Rehabilitation
Nursing care
Lost wages
Disability
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Contact our office to schedule your free case assessment today. We’ll help you understand your rights and decide on the best legal option for your case.

What is the Time Limit for Filing a Deep Vein Thrombosis Claim in Florida?

The right to file a DVT injury lawsuit won’t last forever. Florida law imposes strict statutes of limitations on all personal injury matters.

Negligence: If your DVT claim is based on negligence, your claim must be filed within four years of an accident.

Medical Malpractice: If your DVT claim is based on medical negligence, your claim must be filed within (a) two years of the malpractice incident or (b) two years of discovering your DVT injury.

You can protect your right to file a lawsuit by contacting an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer after an accident. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys will fight to protect your rights and get you the money you deserve.

Contact Our Miami Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Now

Have you developed deep vein thrombosis after a Miami accident? You may be entitled to compensation from the person who caused your accident or a negligent medical professional. Contact the experienced legal team at Lavent Law, P.A. to learn about your legal rights and options. Our Miami personal injury lawyers are prepared to help you fight for the money you deserve. Call to get started on your case today.