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CRPS Type II (Causalgia)
Real help for those facing a CRPS Type II diagnosis after nerve trauma
If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of CRPS Type II, also known as causalgia, you know firsthand how severe and life-changing this condition can be. CRPS Type II develops directly from a nerve injury and can cause constant, debilitating pain, swelling, burning sensations, and struggles with mobility. Whether your CRPS Type II resulted from an accident, medical mistake, surgery complication, or any situation where another person’s negligence played a role, you shouldn’t have to handle the fallout alone.
Our firm is here to support individuals and families whose lives have been upended by this complex diagnosis. If you're ready to talk with someone who understands the challenges you face, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation about your situation and legal options.
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What is CRPS Type II (Causalgia)?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II is a severe chronic pain condition that develops after a confirmed nerve injury. Unlike CRPS Type I, which often develops after a soft tissue or minor injury without clear nerve damage, CRPS Type II always has an identified nerve that was damaged by trauma, surgery, or a specific medical procedure. Sometimes even a small, momentary trauma near a nerve can set off this condition.
The symptoms can be severe and include constant, burning pain even with light touch or normal movement; hypersensitivity to touch, pressure, or temperature; changes in skin color (often becoming red or blotchy); being hotter or colder when compared to the opposite limb; marked swelling; and loss of function or difficulty moving the affected area. CRPS Type II is notoriously painful, often making work, daily activities, or even gentle movement extremely difficult.
How CRPS Type II can be caused or worsened by negligence
When someone else’s carelessness leads to, triggers, or aggravates CRPS Type II, legal action might be possible. Medical personnel and hospitals must meet an accepted standard of care, and if they don't, this can be grounds for a claim. Mistakes or poor management in hospital settings or after traumatic accidents can cause or make CRPS Type II worse. Some examples of when this could lead to a medical malpractice claim are:
Surgical errors
Surgical procedures carry inherent risks, but avoidable mistakes that lead to CRPS can be devastating. If you were injured during surgery through something like improper technique, failure to identify vulnerable nerves, or careless movement near nerve tissue, this may support a malpractice claim.
Delayed diagnosis or treatment
When fractures, nerve injuries, or dislocations go undiagnosed or untreated, the risk of nerve trauma and CRPS rises. Missing early warning signs or failing to respond with treatment quickly enough can make the outcome far worse, in some cases turning a manageable injury into a life-altering pain syndrome.
Improper casting or immobilization
Splints or casts that are applied with too much pressure, put in the wrong position, or left on too long can compress underlying nerves. This ongoing pressure can damage nerves and ultimately lead to CRPS.
Lack of post-operative monitoring
Recovery from all types of surgery should include regular monitoring for pain levels and early symptoms of CRPS. Failing to check for worsening pain, strange skin color changes, or mobility issues leaves a patient vulnerable.
Where it can be shown that negligence like this directly triggered or worsened someone’s CRPS Type II, that patient may have the foundation for a lawsuit.
When does CRPS Type II become a legal claim?
For CRPS Type II to provide a basis for a CRPS lawsuit, there must be clear evidence of someone’s negligence. This is the core idea behind a medical malpractice or negligence claim. Not every development of CRPS Type II is grounds for a lawsuit. Here are the elements of negligence you must prove in these cases:
Duty of care
Healthcare providers owe their patients a legal “duty of care.” This means they are expected to provide treatment, advice, and surgical skills that meet the recognized standards in the medical community. If you have any type of doctor-patient relationship with the party you're accusing of negligence, this usually establishes that duty.
Breach of the standard of care
If a doctor or medical team fails to meet those standards, through surgical mistakes, delayed treatment, sloppy aftercare, or poor decision-making, they breach their duty. Proving the provider acted inappropriately compared to how others in their field would have acted is critical here.
Causation
You need to establish that the negligence caused your injury, not just that someone was negligent. If there was negligent behavior, but it doesn't specifically relate to you developing the condition, this won't be enough to prove your case.
Damages
You also have to prove that you’ve actually suffered damages as a result of your CRPS Type II. This usually includes financial damages, like medical expenses and lost wages, as well as emotional struggles, like pain and suffering and emotional distress.
These cases are complex, but if you think treatment mistakes set off or worsened your CRPS, we can help determine if you may have a claim and what steps to take next.
Evidence used in CRPS Type II claims
Building a strong case of negligence related to your CRPS Type II diagnosis isn’t always easy. There is a lot of documentation and evidence you’ll need. Some of the most common types of evidence include:
Medical records and timelines
Your full medical history and a clear timeline of your symptoms are two of the most crucial parts of your case. Records can include notes from physical therapy, surgery, doctor's appointments, prescriptions, and ER trips.
Surgical reports
Reports from any surgeries you had, both the original procedure and follow-ups, help determine whether a specific nerve injury occurred during that care. These detailed surgical write-ups might note complications or explain which techniques were used.
Imaging and diagnostic testing
Diagnostic imaging, like MRIs, CT scans, or nerve conduction studies, can back up your claim by pinpointing the extent and location of your nerve damage. These images may also identify whether your injury is old or new and document how nerve trauma directly aligns with the cause of your CRPS Type II.
Expert opinions (neurology, pain management)
Sworn statements or reports from experienced neurologists and pain management doctors provide crucial support. These experts clarify whether the treatment or delay likely caused (or contributed to) your CRPS. Their testimony carries significant weight because of their experience and knowledge.
Documentation of symptoms and progression
Consistent, day-to-day records by you, your doctors, and physical therapists are extremely valuable. Progress notes, pain diaries, and descriptions of changes in your life can help the court understand the condition’s true impact on your life.
Reach out to The CRPS Law Firm today to schedule a free case consultation with a CRPS lawyer
CRPS is one of the most painful conditions a person can experience. When this occurs because someone else was negligent, it can feel even more overwhelming and frustrating because of how preventable it seems. In these cases, we can review the situation and determine whether you have a legal claim against the negligent party. Money won’t solve your problems, but it will allow you to access all necessary treatment and worry less if you have to be out of work for pain. Call The CRPS Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.