Fatal Equine-Induced Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Medico-Legal Case Report

Abstract

Equine-related blunt abdominal trauma is an uncommon but potentially fatal mechanism of injury, particularly in rural and agrarian settings. The high kinetic energy imparted by an equine kick can cause severe internal organ damage despite minimal external manifestations, leading to delayed diagnosis and adverse outcomes. We report a fatal case of a 35-year-old male who sustained blunt abdominal trauma following an equine kick, resulting in ileal perforation, generalised peritonitis, septic shock, and acute kidney injury despite emergency surgical intervention. This case underscores the clinical progression, autopsy findings, and medico-legal importance of establishing a clear and continuous causal relationship between the initial trauma and death.