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children adolescents with crps

Children & Adolescents with CRPS

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but extremely painful condition, and seeing it develop in children or adolescents is uniquely heartbreaking. This disorder can lead to pain that is disproportionate to any injury suffered, as well as swelling, skin changes, and sometimes difficulty moving the affected limb. CRPS creates challenges beyond physical suffering - the symptoms can seriously disrupt school, affect friendships and activities, and hinder a child’s emotional and developmental progress.

 

While not every instance of childhood CRPS results from anyone’s wrongdoing, there are situations where another party’s negligence or mistakes play a role, and legal rights should be carefully considered. To learn about your options, call The CRPS Law Firm today and schedule a free consultation.

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Table of contents

Understanding CRPS in children and adolescents

Understanding how CRPS impacts children and adolescents requires both patience and careful observation. The condition can manifest differently in children than in adults. Also, children may have a more difficult time expressing their discomfort in a way that makes sense to adults

Who is most often affected by pediatric CRPS?

In children, CRPS, especially Type I, appears more frequently in girls than boys, although both can develop the condition. Young patients most often experience CRPS in a leg rather than an arm, with the foot being one of the commonly reported first sites of pain. True nerve injury leading to Type II CRPS in childhood is rare.

 

Relatively mild traumas, like a minor twist, soft tissue injury, or even a simple sprain or dislocation, can be enough in many cases. Fractures and surgical procedures may trigger CRPS in children, but these are less common causes, and sometimes no triggering injury can even be pinpointed.

How is CRPS managed in children?

Treatment in young people is never just physical care - standard practice is a team approach. Physical therapy is a primary course of treatment, but it’s closely coordinated with counseling, stress reduction support, and treatments designed to include guidance for families and schools. This holistic strategy helps move children forward physically, emotionally, and socially, giving them a better chance of living a normal life.

Long-term outlook for pediatric patients

The good news for families is that children and teens with CRPS tend to recover better from CRPS than adults, with many experiencing real improvements within months of getting appropriate care. However, it’s also common for symptoms to come and go, so periods of relapse may still occur, meaning that support should continue even after a child appears well.

What sets The CRPS Law Firm apart in CRPS legal cases?

The complexities of CRPS injury legal cases require commitment and real-world experience - qualities that distinguish our approach to CRPS litigation include:

 

  • Our firm has more than 25 years of experience handling injury claims.
  • Firm founder Bryan Pope is a national RSDSA Board Director and a regular speaker at national CRPS conferences, providing education to lawyers, doctors, patients, and judges.
  • We have a history of major verdicts and settlements for clients diagnosed with CRPS, nationwide (though past results do not guarantee future outcomes).
  • We operate under a contingency fee basis, making quality legal representation accessible.

 

When you're looking for legal help, it's important to choose a firm with experience handling complex CRPS cases. Fortunately, you've come to the right place. Reach out for a free consultation.

When a child’s CRPS may justify a legal claim

When a child develops CRPS, there are rare instances where a legal claim may be considered if another party’s negligence contributed to the child's development of the condition. Examples where legal recourse may be an option include:

 

  • An avoidable accident, such as a school injury or athletic event, resulting from a lack of supervision or ignored safety measures
  • Delayed, improper, or dismissive care by healthcare providers that allowed pain and disability to worsen
  • Errors or complications surrounding a medical procedure or surgery

 

Each CRPS case is different, and legal liability is determined on a case-by-case basis. The fact that your child developed the condition doesn’t automatically mean someone can be held legally liable. Still, it’s always worth looking into, especially since you can schedule a completely free consultation with our firm.

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The legal challenges of pediatric CRPS claims

Pursuing a legal case for CRPS in a child or teen can be complicated. These cases require meticulous attention to detail and scrutiny of complex legal and medical issues. Specifically, listed below are some of the challenges in CRPS cases:

Proving causation

Connecting your child’s CRPS directly to a specific injury, event, medical error, or series of negligent acts can be difficult, as CRPS often arises from seemingly minor trauma or after significant delays, making it difficult to determine if it occurred as a result of negligence or just bad luck.

Long-term and future damages unique to children

Since CRPS affects growth, schooling, and lifelong activities, calculating compensation and ensuring your child receives appropriate compensation under the law can be complicated.

 

You need to consider present and future medical expenses, physical pain, emotional distress, the effect on a child's education and job prospects, and all the other ways a child's entire life is going to be impacted by this condition. These damages may be significant (depending on the evidence and applicable law), so it can be a lengthy and contentious fight.

Handling changing symptoms and silent suffering

CRPS often brings about good days and bad days, and sometimes the symptoms fluctuate, improve for a while, or suddenly return. Kids may also struggle to communicate pain clearly, misunderstand their own symptoms, or try to hide problems. This means that adults, including insurance companies and juries, could misread the situation and underestimate the seriousness of the condition.

 

While these cases are complex, compensation may be available in some circumstances where negligence can be proven. Always consult a lawyer to determine your options.

Experienced CRPS lawyers serving your area

CRPS is life-changing, and obtaining experienced legal guidance is crucial if another party can be held accountable for their actions. Our firm handles CRPS cases nationwide (working with local counsel where required), ensuring distance is never a barrier to justice. We are familiar with the intricacies of CRPS case management and work diligently to help you pursue justice. Call today to get started.

Is your child suffering from CRPS? Contact The CRPS Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation

CRPS in children and adolescents carries enormous consequences that shape the child's health and future, as well as that of their families. The burden of daily pain, missed milestones, and ongoing medical needs can take a toll on the entire family and support system. Because of this, it’s vital to act quickly, both in securing medical treatments and in protecting your family’s legal interests if someone else’s mistakes might be to blame. Early advocacy provides families with the opportunity to access the necessary resources for care and rehabilitation.

 

Families of young patients are never alone in facing this challenge or in seeking justice when it is warranted. Call us today to schedule a free consultation or complete our online contact form to get started.