A contusion (bruise) is a common injury suffered by workers across the country. Contusions are injuries to tissue below the surface of the skin that are caused by trauma to the affected area. The trauma causes bleeding. Even bones, the heart or a lung might be bruised. There is usually objective evidence of a surface contusion with discoloration from broken blood vessels. You might not think that a contusion can be serious and disabling, but they can result in infection, further internal bleeding, shock and nausea.

Brain Contusions
If a contusion appears on any part of the brain, it’s called a concussion. They’re graded as mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms are wide ranging. They can include confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, blurred vision and personality changes. Even a mild concussion is a serious injury that calls for medical monitoring, rest and recuperation. It might take two to three weeks to fully resolve. A second concussion during the recovery period can be devastating. A moderate concussion has more severe symptoms that last longer. A severe concussion is likely to have lifelong consequences.

Spinal Cord Contusions
Even the spinal cord can be bruised. Symptoms can include numbness and tingling in the extremities, weakness and partial or even complete paralysis. In a textbook case, as the victim is treated, movement gradually improves until such time as he or she returns to normal. The worst scenario occurs when the victim isn’t treated immediately, and pressure from the contusion builds up around the spinal cord and causes permanent injury.

Abdominal Bruising
Abdominal contusions can be caused by falling forward in a trip-and-fall or a motor vehicle accident. Hospital admission might even be required. Strenuous activities must be avoided, and bed rest might be recommended. Some abdominal contusions will require surgery to locate and treat the source of the bleeding.

Police officers, firefighters and construction workers should expect to receive their share of bumps and bruises during the course of a career. Most contusions are minor, and they simply aren’t going to be compensable under workers’ compensation laws. Victims of brain, spinal cord and internal organ or other on the job contusions that result in significant medical bills and lost time from work might wish to pursue workers’ compensation benefits.