Some people develop long-lasting and debilitating pain, which doctors call chronic pain, after accidents. Below is an overview of chronic pain and its compensation following an accident.
Types and Causes of Chronic Pain
Different things can cause chronic pain, which comes in various forms. Below are a few examples.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes widespread and ongoing pain plus fatigue. The pain typically affects the lower back but can also trigger headaches, anxiety, and tinnitus. Some medical professionals posit that pain occurs when the central nervous system magnifies existing pain signals.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome possibly stems from nerve injuries. The pain is usually unbearable and triggers radiating or shooting pain that some people describe as burning sensations.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The term can be misleading because chronic fatigue syndrome does not just cause fatigue; the condition also causes debilitating muscle and joint pain. The widespread nature of the pain can easily keep you away from your daily activities.
The Complications
You may struggle to prove and get compensation for your chronic pain, especially if you don't have an injury lawyer. Below are some reasons for the complications.
Pain Level Doesn't Always Match Injury
Your chronic pain might not be proportional to your accident or injury. For example, a relatively minor accident can leave you with debilitating chronic pain. As such, other parties might not understand your claims of severe chronic pain, given your injuries' extent.
Doctors Don't Fully Understand Chronic Pain
Another problem is that medical doctors don't fully understand chronic pain. Many of the claims for causes or the existence of chronic pain lack definitive proof. Thus, the defendant might weaken your claim using an expert witness to counteract your claim and evidence.
Chronic Pain Sometimes Delay
Another problem is that chronic pain does not always appear immediately after an injury. The pain can show up days or even weeks after your accident. The pain can even show up after your physical injuries have seemingly healed. In such cases, the defendant might doubt your chronic pain claims or attribute them to alternative causes.
Pain Doesn't Have Direct Measurement
Lastly, pain is a subjective thing that is difficult to prove independently. No one can know how much pain you are in, no matter how much you explain it. Medical science also doesn't have gadgets or technology to measure pain levels.
Chronic pain compensation is complicated but possible. A personal injury lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your chronic pain and get the compensation you deserve.
For more information, contact a company like the Thomas Law Firm.
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