If you are suffering from CRPS due to an accident that wasn't your fault, we can help you make a complex regional pain syndrome claim.
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Claims
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury, heart attack, stroke or surgery. If your CRPS was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a complex regional pain syndrome claim.
Everyday situations leading to CRPS claims include road traffic accidents, slips, trips and falls, accidents at work and medical negligence. Compensation for CRPS can cover the pain and suffering caused by the condition, as well as related financial losses and expenses.
To discuss your case with a specialist CRPS solicitor and find out if you can make a claim on a no win, no fee basis, call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation or request a call back.
Key points about CRPS compensation claims
- Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if CRPS developed following an accident or medical negligence that was not your fault.
- About CRPS: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition that can result from seemingly minor injuries and may lead to long-term disability.
- Time Limit: You normally have 3 years from the date of diagnosis or knowledge of negligence to begin your claim.
- Compensation: Depends on the severity of symptoms and may cover pain, mobility aids, therapy, and other financial losses.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle your claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay your solicitor if they win your claim.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a complex regional pain syndrome claim?
Yes, you may be entitled to compensation if your condition is due to someone else’s negligence. A free consultation with a personal injury solicitor is the easiest way to find out if you can make a CRPS compensation claim.
Before taking on your case, they will ask you a few questions to determine whether:
- Another party, such as your employer or a business owner, owed you a duty of care legally;
- They breached this duty through negligence or wrongdoing;
- You suffered an injury and developed CRPS as a result.
If these apply to your case, one of the solicitors we work with will take on your case and help you secure the compensation you deserve on a no win no fee basis.
Who is liable in a CRPS claim for compensation?
In a CRPS personal injury claim, liability depends on who caused the underlying injury or incident that triggered the condition. This could be:
- A driver whose careless or reckless driving caused a car, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident.
- Your employer, if you were injured at work due to unsafe conditions, poor training, defective equipment, or a lack of protective measures.
- A property owner or occupier who failed to maintain safe conditions on their premises.
- A healthcare professional, if you developed CRPS due to mistakes such as delayed diagnosis or surgical negligence.
What is the time limit for making a CRPS compensation claim?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you have three years to start a complex regional pain syndrome compensation claim. This will begin to run from when your condition was diagnosed and linked to an accident or injury.
There are a few exceptions where the standard three-year time limit doesn’t apply:
- A parent or another suitable adult can claim for a child’s injury at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
- If the injured party lacks the mental capacity to handle legal proceedings, the time limit is paused while that lack of capacity continues, and a litigation friend could claim on their behalf during this period.
- There is a two-year time limit to start a claim through the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) if your condition is related to an assault.
How do I make a claim for complex regional pain syndrome?
If you are suffering from complex regional pain syndrome and you want to make a claim for compensation, the first thing you should do is contact a specialist CRPS solicitor. They will assess your case and help you gather supporting evidence if you can proceed, such as:
- Photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- CCTV footage of the incident, if available.
- A copy of an accident report, if this was recorded in a company’s accident logbook.
- Medical records, such as doctor’s notes, diagnostic tests and treatment plans.
- Specialist medical reports confirming your diagnosis and the impact on your life.
- Statements from witnesses who can help clarify how the injury occurred.
- Your testimony about how the symptoms of CRPS have affected your life.
- A police report and crime reference number, if you were involved in a criminal assault.
- Evidence of financial losses in the form of receipts, invoices or bank statements.
Your solicitor will send a formal letter of claim to the responsible party, outlining the negligence and the compensation sought. Most claims are settled through negotiations, but your solicitor will issue court proceedings if liability is disputed.
How much compensation can I claim for CRPS?
The amount of compensation awarded to CRPS sufferers varies from case to case, depending on the severity of the condition and the related losses. These are grouped into two types of damages:
- General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenities caused by your condition. Examples include physical pain, mental distress, reduced quality of life, loss of consortium and loss of a unique career.
- Special damages cover related financial losses and expenses, such as loss of earnings due to an inability to work, private medical treatments, home adaptations to improve your quality of life and the cost of care and assistance with daily living.
If you make a successful claim for CRPS compensation, you could receive the following awards for general damages based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Moderate): Moderate CRPS with prolonged symptoms, a fair prognosis, possible return to work and limited future care needs — £37,000 - £69,000
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Severe): Severe CRPS with intense burning pain, poor prognosis, major work and daily life impact, and possible spread to other limbs — £69,000 - £111,000
Will my personal injury solicitor provide a No Win No Fee service?
If you are eligible to claim for CRPS, the solicitors we work with will take on your case on a no win no fee basis. That means you do not have to pay them a single penny upfront, or if your claim fails. This way, you will not be left out of pocket, no matter the outcome of your case.
You will only pay your solicitor a success fee if and after you receive compensation for your complex regional pain syndrome. This fee is agreed upon from the beginning and is capped at 25% of certain parts of your compensation.
What is complex regional pain syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that most commonly affects a hand, leg, arm or foot. Typical injuries leading to CRPS include bone fractures, burns, sprains, strains, cuts and lacerations.
The pain is out of proportion compared to the initial trauma, and it is caused by an abnormal response of the nervous system that modulates pain signals. CRPS is poorly understood but can sometimes be managed effectively if treatment starts early (see also the NHS guidance on CRPS).
CRPS is considered a neurological disorder, as it is caused by a dysfunction in how the central or peripheral nervous system responds to pain. More specifically, the nervous system cannot shut off an overreaction to pain signals after the initial injury or nerve trauma.
What are the signs and symptoms of CRPS?
This can severely affect a person’s ability to work, their relationships and daily activities by causing symptoms such as:
- Ongoing, intense pain.
- A burning or pins and needles sensation.
- Pain from stimuli that are usually not painful, such as touching your skin (allodynia).
- Changes in skin colour, texture or temperature.
- Stiffness and swelling (oedema) in the affected limb.
- Hyperalgesia, or feeling more pain than usual to painful stimuli.
- Rapid growth of nails and hair, or no growth.
- Excessive sweating in the affected area.
- Excess bone growth or thinning of the bone, which may also affect the bone marrow.
- Difficulty moving the affected body part and reduced range of motion.
- Impaired muscle strength, tremors and spasms.
- Insomnia, caused by severe pain and other related symptoms.
CRPS types and stages
CRPS has two main types with similar signs and symptoms and is categorised by stages to help describe its severity and progression. These types and stages are:
- CRPS type 1 – it develops without a confirmed nerve injury, often after minor injuries, sprains, fractures or surgery.
- CRPS type 2 – it occurs after a confirmed injury in the affected area from trauma or surgery. This type of CRPS affects only about 10% of sufferers and tends to cause more severe and debilitating pain.
CRPS is often classified into three stages, although some cases can skip them or progress very quickly:
- Stage 1 (acute stage) – lasts about one to three months and is characterised by burning pain, skin changes, swelling and muscle spasms.
- Stage 2 (subacute stage) – can last from three to six months, during which the pain can worsen, and you can also experience joint stiffness, muscle weakness and skin changes.
- Stage 3 (chronic phase) – irreversible effects may occur, such as constant pain, muscle atrophy and limited movement.
How is CRPS diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosing CRPS is challenging, as no single test can confirm the condition. Instead, the diagnosis typically involves:
- A detailed physical exam to look for changes in skin appearance and swelling.
- Nerve conduction studies, which can help detect injuries associated with CRPS type 2.
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, to detect tissue changes and bone mineral loss.
- X-rays to rule out issues with the joints or bones.
- Tests that measure the amount of sweat and temperature in the affected body part.
- Blood tests can help rule out other conditions, such as infections or rheumatoid arthritis.
Once CRPS is diagnosed, treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach focused on pain management and restoring mobility, such as:
- Medications like painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants or corticosteroids.
- Physical therapy to improve and maintain the function of the affected limb.
- Education about how you can manage your condition.
- Psychological support, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, to address the emotional impact of the condition.
- Occupational therapy to improve daily functioning and learn adaptive techniques.
- Spinal cord stimulation can help block pain and restore normal function of neuronal signalling.
With adequate treatment, the pain and other symptoms will gradually improve within the first two years for about 85% of patients diagnosed with CRPS. However, for the other 15%, the condition can continue to worsen and significantly affect their lives, resulting in long-term disability.
How can CRPS affect your life?
CRPS may have profound effects on your physical health and well-being, sometimes disrupting life significantly. Some of these effects include:
- Physical limitations caused by severe pain, swelling, stiffness and muscle wasting, making everyday tasks such as walking, dressing or cooking difficult.
- Loss of independence, with some people requiring ongoing support from family members or carers.
- Reduced ability or incapacity to work, resulting in lost career opportunities and financial strain.
- Ongoing sleep issues due to severe pain, which can cause fatigue and affect your mood and productivity.
- Social isolation and impact on relationships, which can lead to feelings of loneliness.
- Psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression or mood changes caused by the chronic pain and flare-ups of symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes, as you may be unable to engage in hobbies, exercise and other activities you once enjoyed.
Common situations that can lead to a complex regional pain syndrome compensation claim
The symptoms of CRPS can develop after a wide range of accidents that cause injuries such as strains, sprains, fractures or lacerations, including:
- Road traffic accidents, such as car accidents, pedestrian accidents or public transport accidents.
- Accidents at work, such as machinery accidents, falls from height, manual handling accidents or accidents involving vehicles such as forklifts.
- Slips, trips and falls in public or private places
- Sports incidents, such as high-impact collisions, repetitive motion injuries or falls.
- Criminal assaults that involve being kicked, stabbed or hit with an object.
- Dog bites and other animal attacks.
- Fires, electric shocks, chemical spillages and other incidents that can cause burn injuries.
- Medical negligence, such as surgical mistakes or infections that could cause nerve damage.
- School accidents or playground accidents caused by faulty equipment or lack of supervision.
- Holiday accidents, such as swimming pool incidents or injuries during recreational activities.
Can I make a claim for CRPS compensation on behalf of a loved one?
If a loved one is suffering from CRPS and cannot handle legal proceedings, you could claim compensation on their behalf.
To do this, a solicitor will help you apply to the court to be named as their litigation friend. The court will check that you are suitable by making sure that you can make fair and competent decisions about the case and that your interests do not conflict with the claimant’s.
This process is typically used for children under 18 and adults who lack mental capacity. In such cases, any compensation for CRPS must also be approved by a judge during a court hearing and will typically be kept in a personal injury trust in the claimant’s name.
How long will the CRPS claims process take?
Claims for CRPS can be more complex than other personal injury cases, as it can be challenging to diagnose the condition and understand its prognosis.
Typically, a straightforward case can be settled within 12 to 18 months, while more complex claims can take longer than 36 months to conclude due to medical complexities or legal disputes.
Your solicitor will work hard to secure the maximum compensation for you as soon as possible. They can also secure interim payments for you before the claim settles if the defendant has admitted liability or you have compelling evidence against them.
To find out if you can start a no win no fee CRPS claim, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0472 or enter your details into our contact form to request a call back.
