As a South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer with years of experience handling complex cases, I’ve seen firsthand how Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can turn a client’s life upside down. If you’re grappling with CRPS after an accident or injury, you’re facing a challenging road ahead – but you’re not alone. Let me break down what you need to know about this debilitating condition and how it impacts your personal injury case.
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
CRPS is a severe chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury, surgery, or even a minor trauma. It typically affects a limb – your arm, leg, hand, or foot – and causes pain that’s far out of proportion to the original injury. I’ve witnessed how CRPS can transform what seemed like a straightforward accident into a life-altering event.
What Are The Two Types of CRPS?
- CRPS-1: This occurs after an illness or injury but isn’t associated with specific nerve damage.
- CRPS-2: This is linked to identifiable nerve damage.
Most cases we see in personal injury claims are CRPS-1.
What Are The Key Symptoms of CRPS?
When building your case, we’ll need to document all your symptoms thoroughly. The most common symptoms of CRPS include:
- Severe, constant pain that feels like burning or “pins and needles”
- Extreme sensitivity to touch (allodynia)
- Changes in skin color, temperature, and swelling in the affected area
- Alterations in skin texture, becoming shiny, thin, or scaly
- Abnormal sweating and nail/hair growth in the affected area
- Stiffness and decreased mobility in affected joints
- Muscle weakness and potential movement disorders
It’s crucial to note that symptoms can change over time and vary in severity. This variability can sometimes make CRPS challenging to diagnose and treat, which is why having an experienced legal team on your side is so important.
CRPS and Personal Injury Claims: What Do You Need To Know?
If you’ve developed CRPS following an accident or injury caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s crucial to understand how this condition can impact your personal injury claim:
- Increased Compensation: CRPS can significantly increase the value of your claim due to its long-term effects and the intensive treatment it often requires. We’ll fight to ensure you’re fully compensated for all aspects of your suffering.
- Proving the Connection: We’ll need to establish a clear link between your initial injury and the development of CRPS. This often requires expert medical testimony and a thorough understanding of the condition’s progression.
- Long-Term Prognosis: CRPS can have lasting effects, which we’ll need to account for when calculating future damages. Recent studies show that while symptoms may improve over time, many people continue to experience some degree of pain even after a year
- Treatment Costs: CRPS often requires extensive, ongoing treatment. We’ll work to ensure your settlement covers all current and future medical expenses, including innovative therapies that may become available.
- Impact on Quality of Life: CRPS can affect your ability to work, enjoy hobbies, and perform daily activities. We’ll fight to ensure you’re compensated for these non-economic damages as well.
- Psychological Impact: CRPS can lead to secondary psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. We’ll make sure these aspects are considered in your claim
What Are Some of The Risk Factors and Causes of CRPS in Personal Injury Cases?
If hired as your attorney, I’ll investigate the circumstances of your injury to build a strong case. It’s important to understand that CRPS can be triggered by various types of trauma, including:
- Fractures (especially wrist fractures)
- Surgery
- Sprains and strains
- Burns or cuts
- Prolonged immobilization (like being in a cast)
- Specific nerve injuries (in CRPS-2 cases)
- Certain factors may increase your risk of developing CRPS after an injury, such as:
- Being female
- Experiencing severe trauma
- Having a lower limb injury, especially to the foot
- Suffering a work-related injury in a physically demanding job
We’ll consider these factors when building your case and explaining how your specific injury led to CRPS.
Diagnosing CRPS in Personal Injury Cases
Proper diagnosis is crucial for your case. In these types of cases, we work closely with medical experts to ensure your CRPS is accurately diagnosed and documented. This typically involves:
- Detailed medical examinations
- Application of the Budapest criteria for CRPS
- Nerve conduction studies (especially for CRPS-2)
- Imaging tests like MRI or triple-phase bone scans
- Ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms
Remember, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes, so it’s vital to seek medical attention promptly if you suspect CRPS.
What Are Some Comprehensive Treatment Approaches for CRPS?
Your treatment plan will likely be multifaceted, if hired, we’ll fight to ensure your settlement covers all necessary treatments, both current and future. These may include:
1. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: This is often the cornerstone of CRPS treatment. We’ll ensure you have access to top-notch rehabilitation services to maintain flexibility, strength, and function in your affected limb.
2. Pain Management: This may involve various medications, including:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Antidepressants and anticonvulsants for nerve pain
- Corticosteroids for inflammation
- Bone-loss medications
- Topical analgesics
3. Psychological Support: To address the emotional toll of chronic pain and help you develop coping strategies.
4. Advanced Treatments: Such as spinal cord stimulation, nerve blocks, or intrathecal drug pumps. We’ll fight for coverage of these treatments if they’re deemed necessary for your recovery.
5. Alternative Therapies: Some clients find relief with acupuncture or chiropractic care. While these may not directly treat the underlying cause of CRPS, we can argue for their inclusion if they help manage your symptoms.
6. Emerging Treatments: As research progresses, new treatments may become available. We’ll stay informed about the latest developments to ensure you have access to cutting-edge therapies.
For more information on CRPS check out ninds.nih.gov.
How Can The Ted Law Firm Help with Your CRPS Personal Injury Claim?
As a personal injury law firm experienced in CRPS cases, we can:
- Build a strong case linking your CRPS to the initial injury
- Work with medical experts to fully document your condition and its progression
- Calculate the full extent of your damages, including future costs and life impact
- Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation
- Prepare for trial if necessary, presenting complex medical evidence in a way that judges and juries can understand
- Stay informed about the latest CRPS research and treatment options to strengthen your case
Don’t let CRPS derail your life without fair compensation. If you’re suffering from this condition after an accident or injury, reach out to me today. Let’s discuss your case and how we can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
South Carolina Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Lawyer
Remember, every CRPS case is unique, and the law surrounding these cases can be complex. We’re here to provide personalized legal guidance tailored to your specific situation. Together, we can navigate the intricacies of your CRPS personal injury claim and work towards the best possible outcome, ensuring you have the resources you need for your ongoing care and recovery. Contact the Ted Law Firm today, every minute counts.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
