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Deep Vein Thrombosis Lawyers in Illinois

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A deep venous or vein thrombosis is a potentially serious condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein in your body. A DVT is nothing more than a blood clot. A blood clot (thrombus) is a clump that usually occurs when blood components pool or collect into a solid. A clot can also be caused by air in the blood or from plaque buildup caused by cholesterol and fat deposits (atherosclerosis). A number of factors can increase the risk of developing a clot. Although the location of the clot may vary, a DVT usually occurs in one of the deep veins of the lower leg or thigh area. A DVT is potentially life threatening. It has the potential to break off, travel to a lung, and rupture a blood vessel causing internal bleeding and/or block blood flow to other parts of the lung (pulmonary embolism).

Cause and Risk Factors

Although the actual cause of a DVT is from poor circulation and blood improperly clotting in a deep vein, a number of factors can increase the risk of a DVT. Sitting or standing for long periods of time or long periods of immobility may increase DVT risk. Becoming bed ridden during a long hospital stay, driving in a car or truck for long hours, or flying on an airplane for extended periods of time increase the risk of developing a DVT. During these periods of immobility the calf muscles in the leg are not being used as much to help blood in the lower extremities circulate to the rest of the body (venous stasis). Thus, the risk of blood pooling and clotting increases. Injury to the leg or blood vessels may also increase the risk of blood clots. Anesthesia during surgery expands blood vessels and increases the chance of blood pooling and forming a DVT. Other risk factors include smoking, estrogen therapy (birth control), obesity, genetic blood clotting disorders, or a general predisposition to DVTs. It is important to note that a combination of these factors, usually some kind of trauma to a vein, venous stasis, and blood that clots easily (hypercoagulability) puts someone at the highest risk for a DVT.

Work Related DVTs

Usually, DVTs do not occur as a direct result of a work related injury but will occur as an indirect consequence of such injury. A worker may initially injure a body part, for example, his or her knee. The worker may then seek medical treatment and therapy for the injury. A physician may opine that surgery is necessary and order an arthroscopic knee surgery, for instance. After the surgery, the worker may be required to stay immobilized for a period of time in a hospital. Whether extended immobilization occurs in the hospital or in the home the risk of a DVT may increase. Usually, a DVT that occurs indirectly from a work injury is also compensable under Illinois workers’ compensation since it is a natural consequence of the original work injury.

Another example is that of a truck driver on a long haul, or a person who travels frequently for work in automobiles or airplanes. Here, the worker may directly develop the DVT in the leg as a result of prolonged sitting and deep venous stasis.

Still, blunt trauma to the leg, for example, which occurs from a fall or from being struck by an object at work, may cause injury to a deep vein. The trauma may cause swelling and restrict blood flow in the vein thereby causing a DTV. In one instance a worker was struck in the leg by a sharp metal object which caused an infection. The worker already had a history of DVTs. With this increased risk, the worker developed another DVT along with the infection and developed chronic swelling of the leg from vein damage caused from the clot (postphlebitic syndrome). The worker was required to perpetually wear a compression stocking to keep swelling down and was required to take medication for the rest of his life.

Symptoms

There are a good number of persons who do not experience noticeable symptoms. However, for those who do, symptoms usually occur in the leg and include swelling of the leg, ankle, and/or foot, accompanying pain or cramping of your calf, and a feeling of warmth, redness or discoloration, and tenderness. If the DVT occurs elsewhere in the body, for instance in your arm or neck, similar symptoms will be present.

Diagnosis

If you experience these symptoms, your doctor will perform a series of tests. First, questions will be asked about your medical background, your family medical background, and your recent activities. These questions will assess the presence of any risk factors that may have lead to a DVT. A full physical is likely to be performed. Testing using an ultrasound machine, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) machine may be used. Blood tests are likely to be performed to detect the presence of clot dissolving chemicals produced by your body when you have a blood clot. A dye may be injected into a vein and an x-ray taken, which may also reveal the clot.

Treatment

Treatments of DVTs include the use of blood thinners (anti-coagulants). Typically, drugs such as heparin and warfarin are used. These drugs do not dissolve the clot but only prevent new clots from forming. In more serious cases a drug used to dissolve the clot may be used. Still, a device may be inserted into a vein to catch a loosened clot before it has the opportunity to travel to the lungs. Compression stockings worn on the leg may be used to reduce swelling and improve blood flow.

Complications

A DVT can lead to a ruptured or blocked blood vessel in the lung called a pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms of a PE include, chest pain, especially when you take a deep breath or cough, shortness of breath that may suddenly appear, suddenly coughing up blood, fainting, lightheadedness, and dizziness.

A DVT can also lead to postphlebitic syndrome, a complication where the initial clot damages the blood vessel. The damage reduces blood flow. Symptoms include swelling (edema), usually in the leg, pain, and skin discoloration. Symptoms may not appear until several years after a DVT, which makes this complication a possible ongoing medical issue.

Attorney’s fees

You now know that a DVT can be an indirect consequence of a work related injury that may result in increased medical care and costs, now and in the future. No matter how the DVT occurs, if it is from a work related incident, your attorney should work on a contingency fee, which means you will not pay any attorneys’ fees unless you win your case and obtain a recovery amount. Also, you will not have to pay anything up front. All initial fees and expenses should be advanced by your attorney. If you win, all attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses will be deducted from the recovery amount.

Choosing an Attorney

The attorney who we recommend will have years of experience handling workers’ compensation cases. We are resourceful and know attorneys throughout the state of Illinois. A result is never guaranteed but our connections and legal knowledge will give you the best opportunity for a successful result. This is why people come to us.

If you would like our help in finding a law firm in Illinois, please contact us at (800) 517-1614. We are here to help you. You will speak to one of our experienced attorneys and will be able to ask us questions for free.