What Is A Pneumothorax?

A pneumothorax is a collapsed lung. The condition occurs when air fills the space between the chest wall and lungs. As the air fills the the space it pushes on the outside of the lung and makes it collapse. Some extreme cases are life threatening. The vast majority of cases however, involve collapse of a portion of the lungs.

What Causes A Pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax is caused most often by a blunt or penetrating chest injury. A lung collapse can occur during a physical assault or car crash. Other causes include certain medical procedures and underlying lung disease.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Pneumothorax?

Sudden chest pain coupled with shortness of breath are the main symptoms of a pneumothorax. Seek immediate emergency care if breathing becomes increasingly difficult. Keep in mind that many people who have experienced one pneumothorax can have another, within one to two years following the first incident.

How Is A Pneumothorax Diagnosed?

Imaging of the lungs assists doctors to confirm a diagnosis for pneumothorax. Chest x-rays and CT scans are taken to create cross-sectional views of the internal lung and other organ structures.

How Is A Pneumothorax Treated?

A minor pneumothorax can heal on its own with monitoring by a doctor until the excess air is completely absorbed and the lung has re-expanded. Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed to speed the absorption process. This treatment can take up to two weeks.

If a larger part of the lung has collapsed, a needle or chest tube insertion must be placed between the lungs to remove excess air and re-expand the lung. The needle and suction device help remove air from the chest cavity.

When the air leak fails to close, surgery may be necessary to close any air leaks. The leaking bleb is identified and closed off to repair the leak. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

Compensation For A Pneumothorax

If you are experiencing sudden chest pain and shortness of breath after a traumatic incident or a car crash, you may have a pneumothorax. Make sure you are examined and diagnosed by a medical doctor immediately. You may be able to pursue compensation for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, permanent injury or disability, costs of physical therapy and rehabilitation, lost wages from missed work, diminished earning capacity, mental anguish and emotional distress, punitive damages, and/or property damage or loss.

Are you an accident victim victim who suffered a collapsed lung? Our Lawyers can help you pursue the compensation your deserve.

The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan has a proven track record with over 35 years of legal experience representing victims of chest injuries in southeastern Massachusetts.  If you or a loved one has suffered a pneumothorax or a collapsed lung because of someone else’s negligence and would like to discuss your legal options for free with an experienced personal injury attorney, call our law offices today at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step to find out how best to obtain civil justice and compensation for your injuries.



Our Boston Collapse Lung Attorneys assist accident victims throughout all of Southeast Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Norton; Cape Cod, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Lynn, revere, Everett, Lawrence, Dorchester, Roxbury and Somerville.