Also known as: Broken neck
Police officer Dan Pruitt sustained cervical spine fracture along with bilateral leg fractures after falling from a building during a chase. Torres works on his orthopedic injuries while managing spinal stabilization needs.
Also known as: Poor blood flow to leg
Dan's right foot has no pulse following his traumatic injuries, threatening limb viability and ultimately requiring amputation consideration and eventual prosthetic candidacy.
Also known as: Stitches popped open
The graft used to close Dan's abdomen is breaking down, requiring additional surgeries to complete closure before other procedures can proceed.
Also known as: Third-degree burn
Anne sustained 60% surface area burns from a house fire requiring repeated debridement procedures and skin grafting. She develops close relationship with burn unit neighbor J.J. and faces abandonment by her husband.
Also known as: Third-degree burn
J.J. is a volunteer firefighter who sustained burns at a tailgate party. She befriends Anne in the burn unit, providing emotional support and dark humor, but ultimately dies from her injuries.
Also known as: Narrowing of spinal canal
Dan has hypertrophic bone spurs requiring removal during his spinal surgery, with Amelia choosing a different surgical approach than Derek would have used.
Also known as: Head trauma
Derek died from traumatic brain injury sustained in an MVC while trying to help accident victims. His death is the central emotional focus driving the entire episode and multiple character arcs.
Also known as: Cut
Meredith sustains hand lacerations when she accidentally cuts herself while making a sandwich in an emotionally distressed state, requiring Zola to call 911.
Also known as: Grieving
Meredith disappears with her children for weeks following Derek's death, struggles to process grief, and experiences dissociative episodes at the hospital requiring intervention.
Also known as: Addiction relapse
Amelia obtains oxycodone and seriously considers relapsing after Derek's death, avoiding grief through workaholism until Owen intervenes and helps her process her emotions.