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Filing a CRPS Lawsuit

CRPS/RSD Lawyers in California

Experienced Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) lawyers serving Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and throughout California

If you've been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), we are familiar with what you're going through. We know that it can suddenly consume someone’s life with pain and frustration. If you believe you’ve developed this condition after an accident or injury that someone else’s negligence caused, you may be wondering if there’s any legal recourse. Sometimes, there is.

 

Our California attorneys are dedicated to supporting clients facing CRPS with the care and attention they truly need. We know what’s at stake for you every day and will work hard to hold responsible parties accountable. Contact us for clear guidance during this challenging time.

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Table of contents

What is complex regional pain syndrome?

CRPS is a severe and long-lasting nerve pain condition that usually affects a limb after a trauma, surgery, or injury. Patients experience persistent pain that is disproportionate to any initial physical event and does not follow the normal course of healing. It tends to interfere significantly with a person’s day-to-day life because of the pain and eventual inability to use the affected area normally.

What causes complex regional pain syndrome?

CRPS most often develops after an injury or surgery, though even minor incidents can trigger it. Sometimes it follows an actual nerve injury, while in other cases, there’s no damage done. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to involve abnormal responses in the body’s nerves and immune system following trauma.

Signs of CRPS

After an accident or surgery, lingering pain or weird sensations sometimes warn of a problem like complex regional pain syndrome. Below are some of the common signs and symptoms:

 

  • Pain that seems out of proportion to the original injury
  • Swelling of the injured area
  • Color changes, like blue, red, or blotches
  • Different from usual hair or nail growth near the injured area
  • Changes in temperature in the injured limb - feeling very cold or sweating
  • Being hypersensitive to touch, where even something as small as having a bedsheet on top of the affected area hurts

 

Recognizing these symptoms early allows you to consult with a doctor and get the treatment you need for this condition.

How does CRPS work? A timeline

CRPS symptoms can change over time and vary widely from person to person. Some clinicians describe patterns such as acute vs. chronic, but the course is not the same for everyone. However, transitions may follow these periods, resulting in new symptoms and obstacles as months go by.

Acute phase - 0-3 months

In this phase, you'll likely experience:

 

  • Steady, burning pain makes the area impossible to use normally
  • Changes in temperature, abnormal sweating, shiny skin, redness, and fast swelling

 

During this stage, it's important to continue to treat the symptoms and keep moving the affected area so you don't lose that ability.

Dystrophic: 3-6 months

The next phase includes:

 

  • More daily limits as pain increases
  • Visible hard swelling
  • Decrease in muscle strength
  • Basic physical therapy, like gripping, standing, and walking, often becomes more difficult.

Chronic: 6+ months

Around the 6-month mark, it is considered chronic, and you may experience:

 

  • Persistent and spreading discomfort that doesn't respond well to traditional pain treatments
  • Ongoing stiffness and contracture in the joints, making movement even more limited
  • Noticeable thinning or fragile appearance of the skin, changes in nails or hair, and muscle wasting around the affected limb
  • A growing impact on daily activities, independence, and mental health struggles due to the long-term challenges

 

At this point, the main focus is on keeping as much function and mobility as possible in the affected area of the body and learning to live with the condition on a day-to-day basis.

 

Everyone experiences the condition differently, but this is an overview of what you can expect.

Risks of leaving CRPS untreated

If CRPS isn’t treated early, it can become persistent and disabling, and some people have symptoms for months to years; early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chance of improvement/remission. You may lose normal functions in your hands or limbs for good, suffer severe emotional stress, and find it harder to seek compensation the longer treatment is delayed. This is because it can be harder to prove causation the longer you wait. Early diagnosis and medical care are crucial.

Common treatments of CRPS

Figuring out how to manage CRPS can be complicated - most people end up needing a mix of therapies, each one playing a part in your healing journey.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Movement and gentle exercise are at the core of CRPS care. Regular sessions with a physical therapist help protect your flexibility, keep strength up, and prevent the affected limb from getting stiff or losing function.

Psychotherapy

Chronic pain wears on the mind just as much as the body. Seeing a counselor can give you emotional tools and techniques for dealing with frustration, sadness, anxiety, or simply feeling stuck in survival mode.

Spinal cord stimulation

If other pain control options don't work, some people benefit from having a specialist place a slim device inside their back to “interrupt” pain signals.

Additional therapies

Beyond standard rehabilitation and counseling, some patients find comfort through alternative methods, including:

Medications

Doctors will often rotate different prescriptions for pain, nerve symptoms, muscle spasms, or inflammation. The goal is to tone down the pain enough so you can participate in therapy and daily routines.

Sympathetic nerve block

Occasionally, a specialist may suggest numbing specific nerve groups near the spine. The goal is to kind of "reset" the pain signals your brain is receiving.

Ketamine treatments

For the most persistent or stubborn CRPS symptoms, some patients turn to IV ketamine treatments at a pain center, which are showing promise for symptom reduction.

 

When approaching CRPS treatment, make sure you're open to and willing to try a variety of treatments.

What is a CRPS lawsuit?

If you’re dealing with CRPS and believe that your condition was caused by someone else and their negligent behavior, like a surgeon, employer, driver, or manufacturer, you might consider a CRPS lawsuit. This is a formal process where you can seek damages for your pain, medical care, lost wages, and even loss of enjoyment or independence. A CRPS lawsuit can ease your financial burden but also push for lasting changes to safety or medical standards for others in similar situations.

 

Your right to seek compensation for CRPS in Los Angeles and throughout California

If you’ve developed CRPS because of someone else’s wrongdoing in Los Angeles or anywhere else in California, you may be entitled to pursue legal compensation for your pain, lost work, medical bills, and changes to your daily life. California law offers a path to hold parties accountable, so make sure you get legal help right away to see if you're eligible.

How the CRPS Law Firm can help

At The CRPS Law Firm, we know how overwhelming medical and legal matters can feel once you’ve gotten this tough diagnosis. Our lawyers have built their whole approach around helping at every possible step:

 

  • Gathering medical reports, radiology tests, therapy results, and all documentation to show that you were diagnosed with CRPS and what caused it
  • Communicating closely with doctors about the recommended next steps
  • Handling insurance phone calls and negotiating a settlement that covers your losses
  • Consulting with expert witnesses about your prognosis and how it’s going to affect you and your family

 

When you work with us, you don't have to worry about the legal side of things.

The CRPS Law Firm has handled CRPS cases

Our team at The CRPS Law Firm has worked extensively with clients who have developed CRPS following accidents, surgery, and injuries. Every matter gets input from skilled pain specialists, neurologists, and qualified life-care planners - people who can explain the care you need and what it's going to cost.

Why choose The CRPS Law Firm?

When CRPS shows up in your life due to someone else’s choices, you need a legal team that truly understands what’s at stake and delivers relentless support through each step. Here’s what you gain when you work with our firm:

Representing victims injured in all kinds of accidents

We help clients who developed CRPS from car accidents, surgeries, slips and falls, incidents, or any trauma where another party might be to blame.

Securing millions of dollars for CRPS clients

Our track record includes ongoing, substantial settlements and verdicts, with millions secured each year, proving our commitment to clients isn’t empty talk.

Handling the legal process so you can focus on getting better

We take care of paperwork, records, legal obstacles, and negotiations so you’re not dealing with these complications. We want you to just focus on healing.

 

With the CRPS Law Firm on your side, you can count on both personal care and fierce advocacy for as long as you need us.

Frequently asked questions about seeking compensation for complex regional pain syndrome

Under what circumstances can you sue for complex regional pain syndrome?

A CRPS lawsuit is possible when your condition was triggered by events like a botched surgery, motor vehicle accident, faulty product, or work injury linked to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or business. Note that workplace injuries are typically handled through workers’ compensation, unless a separate claim exists against a negligent third party.

How can a CRPS lawsuit improve life with a chronic pain disorder?

Legal compensation lets you afford advanced treatments, move to accessible living spaces, modify your home, or replace lost pay while you battle CRPS. A successful case also punishes wrongdoers so future accidents are less likely.

What compensation can you receive through a CRPS/RSD lawsuit?

If you win, courts may award coverage of past and future medical costs as well as money for lost wages, modifications to your home, therapy, pain, suffering, loss of joy, and reimbursement of expenses tied to the condition.

Why do you need an experienced CRPS/RSD lawyer to handle your injury claim?

Not all attorneys understand this condition and what it takes to prove someone was negligent and caused it. A CRPS lawyer anticipates common defenses and knows how to show a jury, doctor, and judge the full story.

Contact The CRPS Law Firm, CRPS/RSD Lawyers in California, today for a free case review

Living with CRPS in California can feel overwhelming, but holding the responsible party accountable may make you feel a little bit better. A lawsuit could provide real solutions for covering medical care, mobility needs, and lost income after your diagnosis. Our legal team pairs local knowledge with proven experience in tough chronic pain cases.

 

We always treat clients with empathy and tailor our approach to the realities you face. Reach out to schedule your free consultation. Call us today or use our website's online contact form to get started.