Home / Personal Injury / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome · Established 1960
Connecticut Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawyer
CRPS can cause pain far beyond the original injury, and insurers often question it. We listen to how it has affected your life and help you understand your options.
Recognition
Awards and ratings are issued by independent third parties. Year of issue shown where applicable.
Trusted Legal Help for Injured Victims
No fees unless we win. Free case evaluations, 24/7. More than 50 years serving Connecticut injury victims. Every consultation is 100% confidential, with no obligation.
Connecticut Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawyer
A Connecticut Complex Regional Pain Syndrome lawyer understands that a CRPS diagnosis can be life-changing for victims and their families. The severe, persistent pain associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome often extends far beyond the original injury, affecting a person’s ability to work, care for loved ones, participate in everyday activities, and enjoy the life they once knew. Many individuals face ongoing medical treatment, emotional distress, financial uncertainty, and the frustration of having an injury that is frequently misunderstood or challenged by insurance companies. When CRPS develops as a result of a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or another act of negligence, the experienced attorneys at McCoy & McCoy are committed to helping victims pursue the compensation they need to secure their future and focus on their recovery.
What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is one of the most painful forms of chronic pain and has been ranked among the most painful medical conditions on the McGill Pain Index. Victims often experience intense burning pain, heightened sensitivity to touch, swelling, and significant physical limitations that can persist long after the original injury has healed.
CRPS most commonly affects the arms and hands, legs, or feet, and can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, but many victims continue to experience long-term symptoms despite medical intervention.
Symptoms include:
Chronic Pain
Persistent and often severe pain that is disproportionate to the original injury. Victims frequently describe the pain as burning, stabbing, throbbing, or electric shock-like sensations that continue long after tissues have healed.
Physical Changes
CRPS can cause noticeable changes in the affected limb, including swelling, redness, discoloration, temperature fluctuations, and changes in skin texture. These symptoms are often caused by dysfunction within the nervous system.
Loss of Function
As CRPS progresses, victims may experience decreased strength, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and difficulty using the affected limb. In severe cases, individuals may become partially or permanently disabled.
The Impact of CRPS on Individuals and Their Families
The effects of severe CRPS often extend beyond the physical symptoms. Living with constant pain can contribute to emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, frustration, and social isolation. Many individuals struggle to maintain their careers, participate in hobbies, or enjoy time with friends and family due to the unpredictable nature of their symptoms and ongoing medical treatments.
Family members are frequently impacted as well. Spouses, children, and loved ones may take on caregiving responsibilities, assist with household tasks, or provide emotional support as the victim navigates the challenges of chronic pain. The financial burden of medical expenses, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and lost income can place additional stress on the entire household.
When CRPS develops as a result of a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or another preventable injury caused by negligence, the consequences can be overwhelming. Seeking compensation through a personal injury claim may help victims and their families obtain the financial resources necessary for ongoing medical care, future treatment needs, lost wages, and the significant pain and suffering associated with this life-altering condition.
What Causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
The exact cause of CRPS is not fully understood, but it often develops following physical trauma. Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, fractures, crush injuries, burns, surgical procedures, and other serious injuries have all been linked to the condition. In some cases, symptoms appear after relatively minor injuries, making it difficult for victims to understand why they are experiencing such severe pain. When CRPS develops due to an accident caused by another person’s negligence, victims may have legal options to pursue compensation.
Can a Car Accident Cause CRPS?
Yes. Car accidents are among the most common triggers for the development of CRPS. Fractures, soft tissue injuries, nerve damage, and surgical procedures resulting from a collision may trigger abnormal nervous system responses that lead to chronic pain. Even injuries that initially appear minor can sometimes develop into serious long-term conditions such as CRPS.
At McCoy & McCoy, our Connecticut car accident attorneys have decades of experience handling car accident cases involving victims who have developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and other chronic pain conditions. We understand the unique challenges these claims present, including proving the connection between the accident and the onset of CRPS, documenting the full extent of a victim’s injuries, and overcoming insurance company attempts to minimize or deny legitimate claims. Our legal team works closely with medical providers and experts to build strong cases and pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
Compensation Available in a Connecticut CRPS Lawsuit
Victims who develop CRPS due to another person’s negligence may be entitled to substantial compensation. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Because CRPS can result in lifelong challenges, accurately calculating future damages is often a critical part of the claim process.
Proving Negligence in a Connecticut CRPS Case
To recover compensation, injured victims must establish that another party’s negligence caused the accident that led to their injuries. This may involve demonstrating that a driver, property owner, employer, or other responsible party failed to exercise reasonable care. Medical records, expert testimony, accident reports, witness statements, and treating physician opinions can all play an important role in proving liability and damages.
How a Connecticut Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawyer Can Help
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome cases are often far more complicated than typical personal injury claims. Because CRPS is a condition that affects the nervous system and can continue causing severe pain long after an injury has healed, insurance companies frequently challenge the diagnosis, dispute the severity of symptoms, or argue that the condition is unrelated to the accident. Having an experienced Connecticut Complex Regional Pain Syndrome lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
At McCoy & McCoy, we understand that CRPS is not just a medical diagnosis—it is a life-altering condition that can affect every aspect of a person’s daily life. Our attorneys take the time to understand how your injuries have impacted your ability to work, care for your family, participate in activities you once enjoyed, and maintain your overall quality of life. We believe that every client’s story deserves to be fully told and supported with compelling evidence.
Why Choose McCoy & McCoy?
Unlike high-volume personal injury firms that may treat clients as case numbers, our firm intentionally maintains a limited caseload so we can provide personalized attention and direct access to an attorney throughout your case. When you hire McCoy & McCoy, you work directly with experienced attorneys who are familiar with the complexities of catastrophic injury and chronic pain claims. We are available to answer questions, provide updates, and guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Our legal team works closely with treating physicians, pain management specialists, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, vocational experts, and, when necessary, life-care planners to fully document the impact of CRPS. Because the condition often requires ongoing treatment and may result in permanent limitations, we focus not only on your current damages but also on the future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and long-term care needs that may arise.
Insurance companies often attempt to undervalue CRPS claims because they know the financial exposure can be significant. Our attorneys have decades of experience negotiating with insurance carriers and understand the tactics they use to challenge serious injury cases. We build comprehensive claims supported by medical records, expert testimony, diagnostic findings, and evidence demonstrating the day-to-day effects of chronic pain.
When settlement offers fail to reflect the true value of a case, we are prepared to aggressively advocate for our clients. Our firm’s leadership includes Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Frank McCoy, a distinction held by fewer than one percent of attorneys nationwide. This trial experience can be a powerful advantage when insurance companies know your legal team is prepared to take a case to court if necessary.
For more than six decades, Connecticut injury victims have trusted McCoy & McCoy to help them navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. If you or a loved one has developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome following a car accident, slip and fall, or other act of negligence, our attorneys are ready to help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve through a free consultation.
CRPS Frequently Asked Questions
How long after an accident can CRPS develop?
Symptoms of CRPS may appear within days or weeks of an injury, but some victims do not receive a diagnosis until months later. Because the condition can develop gradually, it is important to seek medical attention if pain continues to worsen or becomes disproportionate to the original injury.
Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome considered a permanent injury?
CRPS can be a permanent condition for some individuals. While early treatment may improve symptoms and function, many victims continue to experience chronic pain, mobility limitations, and other complications for years following their diagnosis.
How is CRPS diagnosed?
Doctors typically diagnose CRPS through a physical examination, review of symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic criteria such as the Budapest Criteria. Imaging studies and other tests may also be used to rule out alternative causes of pain.
How much is a Complex Regional Pain Syndrome case worth?
Every CRPS case is unique. The value of a claim depends on factors such as the severity of symptoms, permanence of the condition, medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, and the impact on the victim’s daily life. Because CRPS is often associated with significant pain and long-term limitations, these claims can involve substantial damages.
Resources
Helpful answers, when you need them.
Your first conversation
What to expect from a free consultation, and what to bring.
Understanding your claim
Questions to discuss with an attorney before deciding what comes next.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Tell us what happened. We will listen, explain where you stand, and help you decide what to do next — at no cost and with no obligation.
Request a free case review
"*" indicates required fields
We use your information to respond to your inquiry. Read our Privacy Policy.