WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | December 30, 2025 | Personal Injury
Being in a car accident, slip and fall, or any other type of physically and emotionally traumatic experience can leave you dealing with a number of negative impacts, including shock. Shock is a medical emergency that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow.
Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over time, making it important to recognize the warning signs as early as possible. What is shock, exactly, and what does it look like? Learn more about this serious condition and what legal options you may have if you’ve experienced it.
What Is Shock?
Shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by circulatory failure. This sudden, drastic reduction in blood flow means the body’s tissues don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need, potentially resulting in cell damage and death.
Although it’s possible to experience shock while maintaining a normal blood pressure level, the onset of shock often leads to significant drops in circulation.
Shock can have numerous causes. They include everything from hemorrhages to sepsis and allergic reactions. In many cases, however, it occurs because of internal bleeding following an accident.
The Symptoms of Shock
Recognizing shock isn’t always easy, especially when it first begins.
Common symptoms can include:
- Cold, clammy skin
- Pale skin or a faint bluish tint in the lips or fingernails
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Lightheadedness or feeling like you might pass out
- A fast heartbeat that feels weak or irregular
- Weakness, dizziness, or fainting
- Enlarged pupils
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion, disorientation, or trouble focusing
- Slurred speech or difficulty communicating clearly
- Anxiety, panic, or intense agitation
It’s also possible to experience delayed shock symptoms, especially when adrenaline masks problems right after an accident. Symptoms may begin hours to days later, which can be more likely after catastrophic injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage.
Can Shock Be Part of a Personal Injury Claim?
Yes. Shock can be a compensable injury in a personal injury claim when it results from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Although shock is sometimes viewed as a temporary condition, it can have serious medical consequences and may signal underlying injuries such as internal bleeding, organ damage, or traumatic brain injury. Emotional or psychological shock may also qualify when it leads to diagnosable conditions like acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To include shock in a claim, medical documentation is critical. Records showing symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care help establish that shock was a direct result of the accident and not a preexisting condition.
Proving Shock and Related Damages After an Accident
Proving shock in a personal injury case often requires more than describing how you felt after the accident. Insurance companies may question the severity or duration of symptoms, especially if shock developed hours or days later. Medical records, emergency room reports, and physician notes play a key role in showing the connection between the accident and your condition.
In addition to medical evidence, personal injury claims involving shock may include damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If shock led to long-term complications or psychological conditions, future treatment costs and emotional distress may also be considered.
When a Lawsuit May Be Necessary After Experiencing Shock
While many personal injury claims are resolved through insurance negotiations, a lawsuit may become necessary if liability is disputed or the insurer minimizes the seriousness of shock-related injuries. This is especially true in cases involving delayed symptoms, catastrophic injuries, or lasting emotional effects.
A lawsuit allows both sides to present evidence, including expert medical testimony, to explain how shock impacted the injured person’s health and daily life. Taking legal action may also be appropriate when insurance coverage is insufficient or when the injured person’s losses extend beyond what a settlement offer accounts for.
Contact the Dundalk Personal Injury Attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Suffering a life-threatening condition like shock because of another party’s careless actions can open the door to a personal injury claim. The most important thing you can do to protect your rights and prospective legal claim is to hire a qualified attorney to represent you.
That’s where WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can step in. Our Dundalk personal injury lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
For more information contact the Baltimore personal injury law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080