Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an umbrella term for pain victims suffering in their extremities after an accident or other traumatic injury. Formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), this condition may cause debilitating pain and mobility issues. Patients with CRPS often require substantial medical care, which leads to overwhelming treatment expenses.
At Stark & Stark, our personal injury lawyers have provided qualified legal representation to clients like you for over 90 years. Our team has experience in over 30 practice areas, including recovering compensation for those dealing with CRPS and its aftermath. Schedule a free consultation with a CRPS lawyer to learn how we may help you with your case.
What is CRPS?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) affects the peripheral nervous system, especially in the arms and legs. Symptoms often include swelling, burning, tingling, and redness in the extremities. The tissue surrounding the nerves and the nerves may be damaged, interfering with brain and spinal cord signals.
When the nerve signals cannot get through, patients may experience decreased blood flow, pain, and difficulty feeling temperature changes in the affected area. The nervous system will try to heal itself after trauma, but when you have CRPS, the nerves only send painful signals instead.
The condition may worsen if the inflammation surrounding the nerve tissue is not relieved through pain management therapies or surgery. CRPS pain may be constant and excruciating, affecting an estimated 50,000 new patients every year in the U.S.
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What causes CRPS?
There is no identified cause for CRPS, although it is associated with several traumatic events, including car accidents, medical malpractice during surgery, and puncture wounds. It may also result from any immune disorder involving the nerves that control sensation and blood flow.
Other events that may lead to CRPS include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Needle sticks or IV insertions
- Poor circulation
- Wearing a cast to immobilize an arm or leg
Adults of European ancestry form the largest group of CRPS sufferers. Typically adults are diagnosed more than children, usually around age 40 or above. It also affects women more than men. Those who consume caffeine and nicotine are at higher risk for developing CRPS since both substances decrease the nervous system’s ability to heal itself.
What are the symptoms of CRPS?
The most defining symptom of CRPS is extreme pain that is more severe than expected and that lasts longer than average. While you may experience pain after an accident or surgery, CRPS causes excruciating burning or tearing sensations after a light touch. Symptoms typically begin four to six weeks after the traumatic event, although they may not have a clear cause.
There are three levels of CRPS:
- Type I: Lasting one to three months, patients suffer severe pain, fluctuating skin temperature, rapid hair and nail growth, muscle spasms, and changes in the skin’s appearance.
- Type II: Symptoms worsen over the next three to six months when the hair and nails become brittle and cracked. This stage is often called causalgia.
- Type III: Without treatment, patients may lose the ability to move the affected leg or arm, and the tissues will waste away and contract. This may cause permanent disability.
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 90% of CRPS cases are Type I, which is associated with a trauma that did not directly involve the nervous system. Type II cases most often develop when the personal injury leads to nerve damage. Type III develops when the condition remains untreated or undiagnosed.
Is CRPS treatable or will I be permanently injured?
CRPS is usually diagnosed when a patient fails to recover within expectations and continues to experience severe pain. It can be treated by using various pain management techniques, such as:
- Internal pain pump: This device is implanted into the spinal cord, delivers medication to the spinal column, and reduces the severity of the pain sensations that reach the brain.
- Nerve block: This procedure involves injecting an anesthetic into the area to numb the nerves and stop the burning or pain sensations.
- Spinal cord stimulator: This electrical implants the pain signals to the brain and relieves the pain sensation.
- Surgical sympathectomy: The most invasive of these approaches involves severing the nerves from the injured area to the brain, potentially causing loss of all feeling and control for the affected limb.
If left untreated or there is poor response to medical intervention, CRPS may become a permanent condition. Patients are often unable to return to work or other activities and may be left with chronic debilitating sensations for the rest of their lives. They may also lose the ability to write, walk, or care for themselves. If the condition results from another person’s negligent actions, the victim may be eligible to seek compensation with the help of a qualified CRPS attorney.
How may a CRPS law firm help me?
The pain of CRPS can be exhausting and prevent you from sleeping, working, and supporting your family. The stress of constant pain often leads to emotional disorders, fatigue, and cardiac problems. If you develop CRPS after being hurt by another person’s negligence, you will hardly have time or energy to pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
At Stark & Stark, our CRPS attorneys understand your suffering and are ready to provide important services for your case. We will investigate how your injury occurred and determine who is responsible. We manage all the paperwork and negotiations with the other parties to secure the maximum compensation settlement available.
Recovering from any injury is time-consuming and expensive. However, you should not have to pay for your medical treatment when someone else is at fault for causing you harm. Our CRPS lawyers will use our experience to hold the liable parties accountable while you concentrate on facing your illness. We may even connect you with medical experts to diagnose and treat your CRPS.
What compensation could I recover with a CRPS attorney?
While every case is different, you may seek compensation when someone’s negligence is responsible for your injuries and suffering. You may begin by filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s automotive, homeowner’s, or business insurance, depending on the details of your accident. In other circumstances, your attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit.
You will typically seek financial recovery for two kinds of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic losses have a specific price, while non-economic damages are more subjective and are meant to address your pain and suffering. Some examples of compensatory damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income when you cannot work
- Prescription medications
- Physical and mental health therapy
- Medical devices
- Corrective surgery
- Emergency transportation if you were in an accident
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Chronic pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of society from isolation and embarrassment
Nearly all insurance policies will cover economic damages, although the insurance adjusters may push back on your claim. However, they typically do not cover non-economic losses, which may be substantial in a CRPS case. Suppose the insurance provider does not cover long-term and constant pain treatment. In that case, your attorney may help you determine when to file a personal injury lawsuit to secure full compensation.
Will insurance companies pay for CRPS?
Insurance companies are always looking for a way to minimize claims. Since pain is the defining feature of a CRPS claim, it can be challenging to demonstrate just how much you are suffering and how it is affecting your life. By gathering substantial evidence from your medical providers and other sources, your CRPS attorney may present a compelling argument for your claim.
Insurance adjusters will often push back to reduce or deny costs associated with pain management. If you are suffering from CRPS, they may offer an amount that pays for your initial treatment and surgery but refuse to pay for CRPS treatment, even if your doctor has diagnosed that condition. It takes a skilled attorney to negotiate with the insurance company and demonstrate the need for your compensation.
If the adjusters do not agree to pay, your lawyer may advise you to file to recover what you are owed. Although it may be difficult to trace to a specific cause and diagnose, the pain of CRPS is not “all in your mind.” It is a very real condition that must be acknowledged financially by those responsible for your injury.
What is the time limit for filing a lawsuit for my CRPS case?
The amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit depends on the statute of limitations for your state. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, it is two years from the date of the injury. Filing and negotiating an insurance claim can take several weeks, so you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Your lawyer may begin investigating your case and preparing it for trial while meeting with insurance adjusters. If you wait too long, there may not be enough time to present a persuasive case and file in time. The courts could refuse your lawsuit and lose your chance to seek compensation.
The statute of limitations may vary in your state, but an experienced CRPS attorney may explain how these could affect your case. Do not take chances and run out of time. The best advice is to meet with a lawyer when you suspect someone else is at fault for your injury.
Meet with our CRPS lawyers to get started today
Facing CRPS can leave you exhausted and overwhelmed with pain. While trying to treat the condition, you must go through time-consuming and expensive procedures that result in a mountain of bills. If you cannot work, you may be worried about how you will support yourself and your family. Taking on the burden of managing a claim may seem too much.
Fortunately, the CRPS lawyers at Stark & Stark will put our skills and knowledge to work for you. We will assess your case during a free initial consultation and then begin identifying who is responsible for your injury. When another party is at fault, we ensure they are held financially liable for the harm they caused through their negligence.
When you work with a personal injury lawyer from Stark & Stark, you trust in our compassionate, accomplished, and dedicated team. With over 200 professionals focused on treating every client as our only one, we have offices across New York, New Jersey, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to serve your needs. Contact us by calling (800) 535-3425 or using our online form to schedule a free case review today.
