More than 1 out of every 5 patients undergoing intervention for trauma-induced hemothorax develops a complication. The development of retained hemothorax is associated with empyema in 15.6% of cases and a 2-week median increase in length of stay. Future research into interventions such as Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) on the day of admission to completely evacuate hemothorax is warranted to reduce complication rates, length of stay and cost.