James Weller is one of the Personal Injury team at Thatcher + Hallam and has written this useful introduction and guide to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This guide will help you to understand the syndrome and also know what legal help is available if this is something you are experiencing.

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a rare, chronic condition which usually affects the limbs, including the arms, legs and hands. Most cases of CRPS are triggered by an injury, after which the injured person is afflicted by persistent, severe and debilitating pain. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is still poorly understood by the medical field and is extremely difficult to diagnose.

The personal injury team at Thatcher + Hallam have secured compensation for a wide range of clients who have suffered post-accident CRPS. The following guidance provides further information on CRPS and an insight into how Thatcher + Hallam may be able to help if this is something you are affected by.

What causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? 

Only in recent years has CRPS been accepted as a legitimate pain disorder by the medical field and as such there is no set criteria for what can cause CRPS. Thatcher + Hallam have pursued claims for clients who have suffered CRPS as a result of minor car accidents, severe car accidents, work related accidents, cyclist accidents, electrocution and beyond. 

The actual accident itself can be minor but the resulting continued pain caused by CRPS is often severe, long lasting and can have a knock on effect on people's lives, work, sleep and mental state. 

What are the symptoms? 

For each person who suffers CRPS the resulting pain is extreme. It usually only affects one limb but it can spread to other parts of the body. The skin of the areas affected is often very sensitive to touch or temperature and slight pressure to the area or a change in temperature can cause extreme pain. The area may become swollen, stiff or involuntarily change temperature. 

These symptoms can persist for years at a time or longer and it is important to try to manage these symptoms as early as possible. 

What treatments are available? 

There is no known cure for CRPS and treatment focuses on conservative management of the symptoms and time to allow for rest and recovery. 

In practice, those who suffer from CRPS often have jobs they need to get back to or children who require their hands on care. Managing the symptoms of CRPS whilst retaining a job or caring for loved ones can often be extremely difficult and many people are left without work and in severe pain due to CRPS. 

How Thatcher + Hallam can help

Compensation for CRPS can never truly be proportionate to the levels of constant pain that those who suffer with the condition go through on a daily basis. However, it can help with ensuring a level of financial security while the client focuses on their recovery and it allows for fast tracked private treatment to assist people in managing their pain. 

Each case of CRPS is different from the next and requires bespoke care from medical professionals, as they try to find the treatment which works for each individual patient. The approach of the personal injury solicitors at Thatcher + Hallam is much the same, ensuring that each client who suffers CRPS is treated as an individual, consulted with thoroughly on their complex symptoms and that the highest possible level of compensation for their specific claim is achieved. 

How do I make a claim? 

At Thatcher + Hallam we ensure that you have the professional help you need to facilitate your recovery no matter the injury, from the most complex to the most obscure.

If you want to discuss making a potential claim, you can contact us on 01761 414646 and ask to be forwarded to the personal injury team regarding your CRPS injury.  Alternatively, you can contact us via our a free online legal surgery – click here https://th-law.co.uk/legal-surgery-form/ You can fill in our brief online form with your details and we will ensure we get back to you.