Car Accidents
The spleen is a small organ about the size of a baseball that sits under the left side of your rib cage. The spleen acts as a filter for your blood and releases white blood cells that help fight infection. When it is ruptured, it can leak and bleed profusely.
What is a Ruptured Spleen?
A ruptured spleen occurs when your spleen is compromised by a tear or break in its outer casing. The spleen is kind of delicate compared to other internal organs in the body. The inside of the spleen is held together by a fibrous outer shell or casing. When this outer casing is damaged by external force, it easily tears and breaks open. This is what is referred to as rupture of the spleen. Once ruptured, the spleen and its outer casing will not heal on its own and is very difficult to surgically repair.
Most ruptured spleens are caused by auto accidents. You also see ruptured spleens in leukemia patients or from people with mononucleosis (which is why doctors say you should not exercise vigorously with mono).
In treating a ruptured spleen, the best therapy is intermittent compression stockings. With patients who have continued bleeding from the spleen and cannot be stabilized, surgery is often the only option.
Why Do Car Accidents Frequently Cause Ruptured Spleens?
Our attorneys often see ruptured spleens in car accident cases. Why? The spleen’s fragile nature, combined with its location under the rib cage, makes it particularly vulnerable to external force or trauma. Any sort of forceful impact or external blow to the left side of your abdomen can potentially rupture the spleen. Car accidents are the leading cause of splenic rupture.
There is a simple, somewhat obvious reason for this. A car accident frequently results in blunt force to your abdomen. The shoulder part of a driver’s seatbelt crosses directly above the left abdomen, where the spleen is. In a head-on collision, the seatbelt itself can often be the source of the pressure that ruptures the spleen. Deployed airbags, steering wheels, collapsed doors, or frames can also deliver impactful blows to the abdomen and tear the outer casing of the spleen.
The primary symptom of a ruptured spleen following a car accident will be acute pain in the upper left abdominal area. A lot of times, a ruptured spleen will also be accompanied by related external injuries, such as fractured ribs, which may cause pain in the same area. If the spleen is ruptured, however, the pain will often radiate internally to the left shoulder area. This is because the internal bleeding of a ruptured spleen can irritate the phrenic nerve, which originates in the neck and runs through the shoulder. A ruptured spleen may also cause confusion and lightheadedness.
Sometimes, ruptured spleen malpractice cases result from these accidents. A ruptured spleen classically presents with pain in the abdomen and perhaps the flank and back. Doctors need to be concerned about the possibility of a ruptured spleen with these symptoms and include abdominal trauma or an intra-abdominal process, such as a ruptured spleen, in their differential diagnosis. You sometimes also see dizziness when getting up to stand or walk due to low blood flow (hypotension). The failure to diagnose and treat a ruptured spleen can cause real harm, including death. In Maryland, this can be either a malpractice claim or claimed as part of the motor vehicle accident claim. If there are no insurance coverage issues, you are better off bringing this malpractice claim as part of your auto tort claim. This is because you do not need to prove the doctor’s negligence; it is only an injury secondary to the accident..
How Much Compensation Will I Get For a Ruptured Spleen Case?
The average settlement or verdict in a personal injury case involving a ruptured spleen is between $150,000 and $200,000. That figure can increase depending on the severity of the injury, the need for surgery, and the presence of complications such as internal bleeding or infection.
A ruptured spleen is not a minor injury. It often requires emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and a lengthy recovery. In many cases, the spleen is removed entirely. That adds more risk and more long-term impact. Medical bills add up quickly. So does lost income when someone cannot work during recovery.
Some spleen injuries are not immediately obvious. A lacerated spleen or torn spleen may not rupture right away. When internal bleeding in the spleen is delayed or misdiagnosed, it can lead to more extensive damage and a more complex legal claim. These cases can carry higher value because of the increased harm and the longer recovery.
A fractured spleen can also create problems that last beyond the initial trauma. Pain, fatigue, limited physical activity, and the possibility of further complications all play a role in calculating case value.
Would a jury view the injury differently if the bleeding could have been stopped sooner? If the damage had been caught earlier? These are the kinds of details that can move a claim well above the average range.
Some cases involving a ruptured spleen, especially those caused by a car accident, have resulted in compensation over $300,000. When the injury is life-altering or permanent, the value can be significantly higher.
The bottom line is that no two spleen injury claims are the same. The value depends on how the injury affects your life, how strong the evidence is, and how clearly the negligence can be shown.
Internal damage is easy to overlook. Its impact is not.
Example Spleen Injury Settlement Amounts and Jury Payouts?
If your spleen was ruptured in a car accident and had to be removed in a splenectomy, you might be wondering how much compensation you may be entitled to. Summarized below are a handful of reported settlements and verdicts from car accident cases where the plaintiff’s primary injury was a ruptured spleen. Will this tell you the settlement value of your ruptured spleen case? It will not. Our lawyers cannot predict the value of your case by giving you a formula or matrix. Everyone has a different story and those details matter when calculating settlement compensation payouts. But combined with other tools, it can give you a far better idea of the settlement value of your claim.
- $8,125,000 Verdict (California 2024): The plaintiff was driving late at night in the rain when he was struck by defendant, who was intoxicated at the time of the accident. The plaintiff suffered fractures to his right femur, pelvis, and several ribs; a ruptured spleen, lacerated right eye, injuries to his neck, back, and shoulders, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. So the ruptured spleen was just one of many very serious injuries here. The verdict included $1 million for past medical expenses and $5.3 million for future medical expenses.
- $1,469,000 Settlement (Illinois 2024): The plaintiff, a 16-year-old high school student, was a passenger in an auto accident. He suffered extensive injuries including a ruptured spleen that had to be removed, a ruptured diaphragm, and serious back and spinal cord injuries which required multiple surgeries.
- $1,820,000 Verdict (Connecticut 2023): The plaintiff was a passenger when the driver lost control of the vehicle and was unable to negotiate a turn, causing the vehicle to cross over into the opposite lane, drive off the road, and strike a tree head-on. In addition to a ruptured spleen, the plaintiff also suffered a closed head injury, a right transverse process fracture at C7, fractures to four ribs, her left wrist, and right hand, and a partially collapsed lung.
- $50,000 Settlement (New York 2022): The plaintiff, a 13-year-old female, reportedly suffered a right hip fracture, requiring open reduction and internal fixation and resulting in permanent disability, a ruptured spleen and left knee trauma when, while crossing a roadway outside of a pedestrian crosswalk, she was struck by a vehicle driven by the defendant. This was probably a policy limits settlement.
- $218,000 Settlement (Texas 2019): The plaintiffs were passengers in a vehicle when it was struck on the side by the defendant. The plaintiffs suffered broken ribs, and both also suffered ruptured spleens.
- $100,000 Verdict (New York 2016): An 8-year-old plaintiff was a passenger on his stepfather’s motorcycle when it was involved in a single-car accident. The plaintiff broke his arm and ruptured his spleen. The case settled for $100,000.
- $645,000 Verdict (Texas 2016): Defendant was driving a Safelite auto glass repair vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex when he ran over a 3-year-old girl. The girl suffered a fractured pelvis and ruptured spleen that had to be removed. The case settled for $645,000.
- $375,000 Verdict (New Jersey 2014): A 2-year-old passenger in a vehicle that slammed into a tree suffered a ruptured spleen, fractured ribs, and lost a tooth. The spleen was surgically repaired with a coil and did not have to be removed. The case settled for $375,000.
- $575,000 Verdict (New York 2008): Plaintiff, a 49-year-old accountant, was getting out of his parked car on a busy street when the defendant hit his car from behind. The accident ruptured his spleen, and he underwent a splenectomy and was alleged to have sustained injury to his liver. The defendant admitted liability but contested damages. Specifically, defense counsel claimed that the plaintiff could lead a normal life without his spleen with medication. One day into the trial the case settled for $575,000
Spleen Injury Accident Lawsuit FAQs
If you have sustained a spleen injury in a car accident, you are not alone. The spleen is one of the most frequently damaged internal organs in motor vehicle collisions due to its location in the upper left abdomen and its delicate, blood-rich structure. Whether the result is a ruptured spleen, lacerated spleen, or fractured spleen, these injuries often require emergency medical treatment and can lead to serious complications.
Below are the most frequently asked questions about spleen injuries after a car accident our lawyers get, including symptoms, medical procedures, potential long-term effects, and what influences the settlement compensation amount for a spleen injury claim.
What is the spleen, and why does it matter in a car accident?
The spleen is a soft, vascular organ located beneath the left rib cage, approximately the size of a fist. It plays a critical role in the body’s immune and circulatory systems by filtering blood, recycling old red blood cells, and storing white blood cells and platelets. Although not essential for survival, the spleen helps. Itcontributes significantly to the body’s ability to fight infections and maintain healthy blood composition. Due to its spongy tissue and high concentration of blood vessels, the spleen is extremely delicate and prone to injury.
In the context of a car accident, the spleen’s location and fragility make it particularly vulnerable to trauma, especially during side or frontal collisions. Blunt force to the abdomen, such as impact from a seatbelt, steering wheel, or deployed airbag, will often cause the spleen to tear or rupture.
It can be pretty awful. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency that may lead to internal bleeding, low blood pressure, shock, and even death if left untreated. Because of these risks, spleen injuries are taken very seriously in both emergency medicine and personal injury law, often resulting in significant medical expenses and extended recovery times, which is why you see high settlement amounts in these claims.
What impacts the value of ruptured spleen cases?
A range of medical, legal, and situational factors shapes the settlement value of a ruptured spleen case. From a medical standpoint, most ruptured spleen injuries require emergency care, often including surgery, blood transfusions, hospitalization, and extended recovery time. If the spleen must be removed entirely through a procedure called a splenectomy, the injured person may face a lifetime of increased risk for infection and the need for ongoing medical care. These complications can justify higher compensation, particularly when they affect the individual’s ability to work, perform daily activities, or maintain their prior quality of life. Cases involving internal bleeding, post-surgical complications, or delayed treatment tend to result in higher payouts due to the added severity and long-term consequences.
The defendant’s identity and insurance coverage also play a central role in determining how much a claimant may receive. If the at-fault party is a commercial driver, rideshare operator, or company employee, larger insurance policies may be available to support higher settlement amounts. On the other hand, if the defendant carries minimal insurance or is uninsured, it may limit the practical value of the claim, even if the injury is severe. The jurisdiction where the case is filed can be equally important. Some courts are more favorable to plaintiffs and have a history of awarding larger verdicts, while others may be more conservative. These regional differences can greatly affect the anticipated payout in a ruptured spleen case.
In addition, the quality and timing of medical documentation, witness statements, and expert opinions are essential in building a strong claim. If there was a delay in diagnosis, mismanagement by healthcare providers, or disagreement about the cause of the spleen injury, it can complicate the case and either reduce or increase the compensation depending on how well those issues are presented. Clear evidence of negligence, whether in a car accident or a medical setting, strengthens the case and supports higher settlement amounts. Each ruptured spleen case is unique, but a well-documented injury with substantial impact on the victim’s life and strong legal support can lead to a significantly higher payout.
Are ruptured spleens common in car accidents?
What happens when the spleen ruptures?
When the spleen ruptures, the protective outer layer of the organ tears, often as a result of blunt force trauma to the abdomen, such as what occurs in car accidents. Because the spleen is filled with blood, this kind of injury can cause significant internal bleeding, leading to symptoms like sharp abdominal pain, low blood pressure, dizziness, and in some cases, signs of shock. A ruptured spleen typically requires immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity, doctors may attempt to stop the bleeding through non-surgical methods like embolization, or they may need to perform surgery. In more serious cases, the spleen may need to be removed entirely through a procedure called a splenectomy.
In past cases our car accident lawyers have handled, individuals with spleen injuries have undergone a range of treatments—from less invasive procedures to full splenectomies. These injuries often lead to a challenging recovery period and long-term concerns, especially when the spleen is removed. Outcomes can vary depending on the timing of diagnosis, the presence of other injuries, and how the rupture was managed. Our experience with these situations helps us understand the medical complexities involved and how they affect the overall legal and financial picture for those seeking compensation.
What are the symptoms of a ruptured spleen after a car crash?
Can you get compensation for a ruptured spleen caused by a car accident?
How much is a ruptured spleen case worth?
The value of a ruptured spleen case depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury, whether surgery was required, the long-term health impact, and how the injury has affected the person’s ability to work and live normally. Other considerations include the defendant’s insurance coverage, the jurisdiction where the case is filed, and the strength of the liability evidence. When complications such as internal bleeding, splenectomy, or delayed diagnosis are involved, the potential for a higher payout increases.
As we say above, the average compensation for a personal injury case involving a ruptured spleen typically falls between $150,000 and $200,000. However, some cases settle or result in verdicts well above that range. We have seen cases involving more extensive damage, permanent health concerns, or multiple injuries reach settlement amounts in excess of $300,000 or even higher. The more significant the impact on a person’s life and recovery, the greater the potential value of the claim.
Contact Miller & Zois About Your Ruptured Spleen
If you recently suffered a ruptured spleen in a car accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Miller & Zois to discuss whether you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injury. Call us at 800-553-8082 or click here for a free online consultation.