Chronic Pain
Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment.
Chronic pain is usually caused by an initial injury and develops after nerves become damaged. The nerve damage makes the pain more intense and long-lasting. In these cases, treating the underlying injury may not resolve chronic pain.
Starting your Chronic Pain claim
If your pain was caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault, our expert chronic pain solicitors can help you make a claim for compensation.
Chronic pain can be difficult to diagnose and is therefore often overlooked in compensation cases. There is no single test for a diagnosis, and it will depend on the individual symptoms presented in each case. We are able to apply our experience in working with victims and their families to help you secure the help you need.
How we can help with chronic pain conditions
We have experience in cases where chronic pain has been caused by an injury. We know how debilitating the conditions can be and will assist with claims for Total Permanent Disability under Critical Illness Policies or Accident Protection Policies.
We can guide you sensitively through this period of uncertainty and help you recover the appropriate amount of compensation in relation to your injury to safeguard your financial future. Contact one of our team members to discuss your specific circumstances.
Telephone: 01603 214 220
There are different types of chronic pain including:
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is also known as Begum Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is a chronic and progressive condition caused by an injury to the sympathetic nerves resulting in severe pain.
The condition can be catastrophic, permanent and disabling. Many describe a severe burning pain, even though the part of the body that has been injured feels cold. There may be a change in the temperature of the hand or foot and sensitivity even to light touch. Frequently, there will be swelling and a change in skin colour in the affected area.
Complex pain syndrome usually affects a single limb but sometimes spreads into other parts of the body. It can affect every part of the limb in question from the skin to the joints.
CRPS is often caused by traumatic incidents such as car accidents or slips, trips and falls, with the resulting injury developing into CRPS or related pain syndrome conditions for no known reason.
The definition of CRPS has changed regularly through the years and there are now two separate recognised types:
Type I – often known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy with no evidence of nerve lesions
Type II – often known as causalgia with clear evidence of nerve lesions and damage
The treatment programmes for CRPS vary greatly and often include pain relief, physiotherapy and self-management and lifestyle changes. Some individuals may also require psychological support and counselling.
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or injury to the nerves that transfer information between the brain and spinal cord from the skin, muscles and other parts of the body.
The pain is usually described as a burning sensation and affected areas are often sensitive to the touch. Symptoms of neuropathic pain may also include excruciating pain, pins and needles, difficulty correctly sensing temperatures and numbness. Some people may find it hard to wear thick clothes as even slight pressure can aggravate the pain.
Myofascial pain syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), is a chronic pain condition affecting the musculoskeletal system. Persistent muscle pain presents as sensitive spots known as trigger points. These areas develop in the taut, ropey bands of the muscles (the fascia). When pressure is applied to these trigger points there is pain (called ‘referred pain’) in a different part of the body.
How we
can help you
Accidents and injuries can have a wide range of effects, many of which may not be obvious immediately after an accident. As a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), the Brain Injury Group and Headway our team has represented victims in a wide range of cases.
To find out more about our expertise, please call:
Make an enquiry
Get in touch via the form or call our helpful team on
01603 214 220
We look forward to
hearing from you.
Enquiry form
*Required
We look forward to hearing from you.
Our insights
Delivering thought-leading expertise and understanding from our expert solicitors and staff.
-
85k settlement for employee claimant with no memory of injury
He was tasked by his employer with loading a flat bed lorry in readiness for his deliveries later that day. The Claimant was later found unconscious next to the lorry with clear signs that he had sustained trauma to his head.