A liver laceration, also known as a liver injury, is a tear in the liver tissue that can occur from penetrating or blunt trauma such as a car accident, falls, sports injuries, gunshot wounds, or stab wounds. The liver is the most commonly injured organ in abdominal trauma, and most liver injuries are caused by blunt trauma. When the liver is lacerated, it results in hemorrhaging or bleeding, and the signs and symptoms of an injured liver include abdominal pain, guarding (holding hand over the area), tenderness in the upper right part of the abdomen, right shoulder pain, and signs of shock and blood loss. Diagnosis is made by CT scan, which is a specialized X-ray test, and the severity of the injury is graded based on the information from the CT scan. Grade 1 injuries are the smallest while Grade 5 injuries are the most severe injuries. Treatment for liver injury depends on the grade of injury and can include strict bed rest, nothing to eat or drink for a short period of time, pain control, lab work, IV fluid hydration, and blood transfusions. Fortunately, most liver injuries are treated without surgery.