Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers | May 16, 2025 | Personal Injury
Exsanguination refers to losing so much blood that the heart can’t pump, causing death. The person doesn’t need to lose all of their blood to die, only enough to cause blood pressure to drop so low that the body can’t sustain itself.
Exsanguination can be a result of assaults or accidents and typically occurs when a major artery is severed. If it happens because of another party’s wrongful or negligent conduct, it can lead to a wrongful death claim. A personal injury attorney can guide you through each step, protecting your rights during this difficult time.
Causes of Exsanguination
Bleeding out can occur for a number of reasons, including anything from car accidents to birth injuries.
Trauma
The most common causes of exsanguination involve trauma. Traffic collisions, especially high-speed and truck crashes, as well as struck-by accidents, can all result in a deadly loss of blood. Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, while penetrating injuries could mean nicking vital blood vessels.
Intentional Acts of Violence
Exsanguination can also result from intentional acts of violence. Gunshot wounds and stabbings are particularly dangerous because they can directly sever arteries or major veins, leading to uncontrolled external or internal bleeding.
Medical Errors
In some cases, exsanguination is the result of medical negligence. Surgical errors, such as cutting a major artery or a failure to address hemorrhaging after childbirth or invasive procedures, can be fatal if not treated quickly and appropriately.
Symptoms of Exsanguination
Recognizing the symptoms of exsanguination is critical, as immediate medical intervention can save lives.
Common signs of life-threatening blood loss include:
- Pale, clammy skin due to reduced blood flow
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) as the body tries to compensate for blood loss
- Low blood pressure, often leading to fainting or dizziness
- Cold extremities and bluish lips or fingers
- Confusion or weakness, which may signal that the brain isn’t receiving enough oxygen
- Loss of consciousness, a sign of shock, and imminent organ failure
These symptoms demand emergency medical care. Delays in treatment can result in death within minutes.
Liability for Exsanguination Injuries
When exsanguination results from negligence, the responsible party may be held liable through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
In auto accidents, negligent drivers, trucking companies, or manufacturers may be held accountable.
In medical cases, hospitals, doctors, or surgical staff may be liable if a preventable error or delayed treatment led to fatal bleeding.
In violent incidents, property owners could be liable for negligent security if the attack happened on their premises.
Proving liability typically requires showing that the responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the injury or death through that breach. A skilled attorney can help gather evidence, consult experts, and pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses if applicable.
Filing Wrongful Death Claims After an Exsanguination
If a loved one died from blood loss caused by someone else’s negligence, the personal representative of their estate can file a wrongful death claim. These claims require proof that another party’s actions directly caused the fatal injury.
In West Virginia, you generally have two years from the date of death to file. Although the estate initiates the lawsuit, any compensation awarded goes to surviving family members.
Damages may cover funeral costs, medical bills, lost income, and lost services. Non-economic damages can include the victim’s pain and suffering, as well as the loss of companionship and emotional support.
Beginning a Wrongful Death Claim With Legal Counsel
Wrongful death cases are emotionally and legally complex. Without legal help, you may accept a low settlement or miss critical deadlines. An experienced West Virginia wrongful death lawyer can gather evidence, consult expert witnesses, and build a strong case for full compensation.
These attorneys know how to handle insurance companies and won’t settle for less than what your family deserves. While no amount of money can replace your loved one, pursuing a wrongful death claim can bring financial relief and hold the responsible party accountable.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Charleston, Beckley, Morgantown, WV.
Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers – Charleston
746 Myrtle Rd
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 346-5990
Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers – Beckley
101 N Kanawha St, Suite 101
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 252-5990
Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers – Morgantown
453 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, Suite 300
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 225-5990
