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Chronic Pain Compensation Claims Solicitors.
Chronic pain syndrome, often referred to as complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS), is a condition which affects millions of people in England and Wales.
Typically occurring after an injury, chronic pain usually lasts for three or more months, and is very debilitating both physically and mentally for sufferers.
There are a variety of different accidents that could lead to chronic pain, such as a road traffic accident or an industrial accident in which a head or spinal injury is sustained. This can then lead to chronic pain being experienced in one or several parts of the body on an ongoing basis.
Here at Lanyon Bowdler we understand how debilitating it can be to live with chronic pain, especially when it was caused by an accident that could have been prevented. We want to help you to claim the compensation you deserve, and access the best treatment to help you recover from your injury.
If you are experiencing chronic pain after being involved in an accident that happened due to somebody else’s negligence, please contact our friendly and professional personal injury team to find out how we can help.
What is Chronic Pain?
The NHS defines chronic pain as persistent pain that lasts for 12 weeks or longer, despite treatment and medication. Whilst acute pain occurs in the short term after an injury, chronic pain is long term, and can even be life-long for some people, persisting well after the initial injury has healed.
Chronic pain tends to be a problem stemming from the nervous system, as opposed to a specific body part, which can make it difficult to locate and treat effectively. Some of the common symptoms of chronic pain reported by sufferers include:
- Acute soreness
- Muscle tightness
- Shooting pains
- Aching sensation
- Burning sensation
Often, chronic pain doesn’t exist exclusive of other health problems. Many sufferers also experience cognitive impairment, sleeping problems, and psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
We understand how mentally and physically exhausting it can be to live with chronic pain, especially when it was brought on by an accident that could have been prevented. If you have sustained an injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, and you are now experiencing chronic pain as a result, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Our Chronic Pain Claims Expertise
Our Chronic Pain Solicitors are extremely knowledgable in this field of the law, and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact Lanyon Bowdler today.
Our friendly and professional personal injury team offers a holistic approach to your chronic pain compensation claim. We are here to provide peace of mind and guidance throughout the whole process, ensuring we take the time to really listen to you and understand your needs. We are dedicated to achieving a fair and just settlement for you. In addition to handling the legal proceedings, we are also able to help you to gain access to treatment and support as you heal from your injuries and learn how to manage your chronic pain.
Your Chronic Pain Claims Questions Answered
It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of an individual’s chronic pain because it may begin weeks or months after the initial injury. In some cases, injuries such as head, back, and spinal cord injuries could be responsible for causing the chronic pain; whilst in some cases it may be a trip or fall that results in a sprain or dislocation, which then leads to chronic pain.
Accidents such as road traffic accidents, industrial accidents, and slips, trips and falls are some of the common ways in which people sustain injuries that lead to chronic pain. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident which happened due to somebody else’s negligence, they can be held liable for your injuries and you may be able to claim compensation.
Chronic pain can take on many forms and present with a wide variety of different symptoms, therefore it can be difficult to diagnose. In most cases, your doctor will probably begin testing after you’ve experienced the pain for at least three months. Tests will usually include blood tests, urine tests, spinal fluid tests, imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, and X-ray, and electromyography to test muscle activity.
In terms of treatment for chronic pain, patients are usually offered a combination of different remedies, including:
- Medication– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are often used as they help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Other painkillers like paracetamol can also be used, and some people find relief from topical capsaicin patches, anti-epileptic drugs, and antidepressants.
- Physical therapy– Some patients benefit from physiotherapy as it can help them to develop the tools to manage their condition and increase their activity. Treatment may involve soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, corrective exercises, posture awareness, and stretching to relieve spasms and tension.
- Psychological treatment– In some cases, those who suffer with chronic pain can also experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, and they may benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling.
- Exercise– Some patients find exercise to be beneficial in managing their chronic pain. Cardiovascular exercise can improve the circulation, and stretching exercises such as yoga and Pilates can increase the range of motion and help to ease pain.
- Alternative therapy– Acupuncture can help some people with chronic pain to find short term relief, while some patients may find respite from TENS machines or electrotherapy, which is a low-level laser therapy to ease the symptoms of chronic pain.
Chronic pain can occur due to a number of different reasons, such as being involved in an accident, receiving negligent medical treatment, or from a repetitive strain injury. In order to claim compensation for your chronic pain you will need to be able to prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty of care, and that your chronic pain was a direct result of the accident which ensued.
For example, if the accident occurred in your place of work due to a breach in your employer’s duty of care, then they are liable for damages caused. Likewise, if your injuries arose from a road traffic accident, the person responsible for the collision is liable as all road users owe one another a duty of care to drive responsibly and safely.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to claim compensation, please get in touch and our specialist personal injury team will be happy to discuss your situation and offer guidance.
What our clients say.
What types of Chronic Pain are there?
Chronic pain is an umbrella term which covers a variety of different conditions, including:
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it is believed to be triggered by physically stressful events such as injuries, infections, and operations. In some cases it can also be triggered by emotionally stressful events. One theory is that fibromyalgia is caused by a dissonance in the central nervous system, causing incoming sensations in the body to be magnified to abnormal levels.
Some of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Arthritis
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Tinnitus
- Bladder problems
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, this condition triggers a reaction in the nervous system which then causes constant pain. It is typically brought on by injuries such as broken bones, sprains, bruising, soft tissue injuries, and nerve damage, and most commonly affects the arms and legs. It is thought that the condition develops in the central nervous system, which triggers an overactive response to pain signals.
The symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome include:
- Swelling
- Skin discolouration
- Burning sensation
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Hot and/or cold sensations
- Changes to nail/hair growth in affected area
Also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), this is a long-term condition where sufferers experience extreme fatigue. Whilst the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to be triggered by viral infections and psychological stress.
In addition to fatigue, symptoms also include:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Cognitive difficulties
This disorder causes pain in the muscles, and can sometimes lead to muscle injuries. It can also lead to something called referred pain, in which seemingly unrelated body parts can become affected by chronic pain.
Possibly the most common form of chronic pain, arthritis presents itself as inflammation and pain in the joints. There are several types of arthritis, with the two most common being osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The condition can affect any joint in the body, and can be triggered by a traumatic injury which affects a joint.
This is a general term that typically refers to a situation in which chronic pain has become amalgamated with other conditions and complications, such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and other emotional or psychological conditions. The psychological condition may then lead to an increase in pain sensations, and so a vicious cycle begins, e.g. you experience chronic pain which causes you to become depressed, which in turn then increases your sensitivity to said pain, and can have a big impact on your life.
Time Limits on making a Chronic Pain Claim and Funding Options
In general, the time limit for bringing a Chronic Pain Claim is three years from the date of the injury or the ‘date of knowledge’ of the injury (to cover situations where the impacts of an injury surface at a future time).
However, if a child sustains an injury, due to an accident caused by the actions or negligence of another party, the time limit will usually expire on their 21st birthday unless the child never gains mental capacity due to their injuries, in which case the time limits do not apply.
We can support your Chronic Pain Claim through a range of funding options, including our No Win No Fee Injury Claim promise, as well as through private funding, and legal expenses insurance. Our Solicitors will consider whether we can handle your Chronic Pain Claim on a No Win No Fee basis at the point of an initial evaluation of the circumstance surrounding your injury.
Contact Lanyon Bowdler’s Personal Injury Solicitors
If you are suffering with chronic pain following an accident that was not your fault, or perhaps that was caused by the negligence of someone else, we can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
You can drop into our offices during working hours. No appointment is needed, just call in. Whilst we cannot guarantee you will see a legal advisor on the day, you will be able to speak with a member of the team who will record some key information so that a lawyer can discuss your matter further with you. Most of our offices have disabled access and convenient parking. We can also arrange a home or hospital visit where clients have sustained serious injuries or where they affect your mobility, even if only temporarily.
We are a leading law firm with qualified and specialist Chronic Pain Injury Solicitors. We can assist you through the entire process of making a claim and in helping with your recovery.
We are recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK as one of the country’s leading personal & serious injury claims solicitors teams. Whatever injury has befallen you, we are ready to help. You can count on Lanyon Bowdler to fight to secure you the maximum compensation you deserve and to ensure your physical and emotional well-being are completely prioritised and catered for.
Please contact a member of the team or complete our online enquiry form.
Lanyon Bowdler has specialist Personal Injury Solicitors in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, Telford, and Conwy in North Wales. We regularly act for clients regarding Chronic Pain Claims across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales, Birmingham, and the Midlands. As a leading law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.
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