How Chronic Pain Develops After an Accident or Injury

Many people in the U.S. are in physical pain. That's according to at least one study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It revealed that nearly 25% of Americans suffer from chronic pain, and close to 9% suffer from high-impact chronic pain, which refers to pain so severe that it restricts normal day-to-day activities. While cancer and cancer treatments, age-related degenerative joint and spine diseases, and nervous system problems account for most chronic pain cases, accidents and injuries also account for a fair share.

What Defines Chronic Pain?

According to Stanford Medicine, chronic pain refers to pain lasting or recurring for more than 3 to 6 months. Several physical and neurological processes determine whether or not someone will transition from struggling with acute pain following an accident or injury and go on to struggle with chronic pain. The type of accident and severity of their injury also play a role.

The relationship between Certain Accidents and Chronic Pain

Different accidents can cause different types of pain. For example, whiplash, which is characterized by stretched or torn neck muscles, spinal discs, and ligaments, can cause permanent neck pain and ongoing, chronic headaches. Whiplash is primarily associated with motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and concussions, both of which can cause debilitating migraines and light sensitivity long after the initial trauma, are also frequently tied to MVAs.

Slip, trip, and fall accidents, which are a common occurrence in retail, commercial, and office environments, can open the door to long-term chronic pain. That's because they can cause sprains, strains, and torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Each of these soft tissue injuries can trigger chronic musculoskeletal pain if not promptly treated. They can also cause limb damage, which can lead to chronic inflammation and post-traumatic arthritis.

An estimated 2.5 million workplace injury cases are reported every year in the U.S. In office environments, these cases primarily stem from falls, poor ergonomics, and overexertion, and they usually leave workers struggling with back pain, repetitive strain injuries, or vision problems. On construction sites, between 170,000 and 200,000 non-fatal injuries are reported. Some of the most commonly reported injuries on construction sites include the following:

• Fractured bones

• Hearing loss or tinnitus

• Severe lacerations

• Spinal damage

• Traumatic brain injuries

Accidents and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Lesser-Known Chronic Pain

Multiple studies show that complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is associated with long-term chronic pain, and it is a condition that affects the lives of roughly 200,000 Americans. CRPS typically occurs when nerves become damaged and start firing abnormally. This abnormal firing can trigger severe, burning, and long-lasting pain sensations in limbs. Some of the accidents and injuries that increase the risk of CRPS include the following:

• Crush and penetrating injuries

• Medical and surgical malpractice

• Motor vehicle accidents

• Slip, trip, and falls

Why Chronic Pain Sometimes Develops After an Accident or Injury

When someone transitions from acute pain to chronic pain after an accident or injury, a malfunction involving the nervous system is usually to blame. Studies show that acute sensory signals can trigger permanent structural, chemical, and psychological changes in the nervous system. These changes can turn pain that was previously a temporary warning signal into a prolonged or permanent medical condition. And this medical condition can continue after wounds, fractures, internal organ damage, and other accident-related injuries have already healed. Altered movement patterns, chronic inflammation, scar tissue, and poor healing can also trigger chronic pain after an accident or injury.

Symptoms of Chronic Pain

In addition to pain lasting 3 to 6 months or longer, there are other symptoms associated with chronic pain. Depending on the type of accident someone has sustained and the location of their injury, those symptoms can include reduced range of motion, stiffness, or swelling. If nerves are involved, chronic pain symptoms can include tingling sensations or numbness.

Should You Hire an Attorney if an Accident or Injury Has Left You Suffering From Chronic Pain?

From prolonged and costly medical treatments to mobility issues and lost wages, chronic pain can present numerous physical and financial challenges. If another party contributed to an accident or injury that resulted in the development of your chronic pain, you should hire an experienced team ofpersonal injury lawyers who can help you get the compensation you deserve. The right legal team can help you navigate every step of the process.

Can You File a Compensation Claim Involving Chronic Pain Without an Attorney?

While you can file a compensation claim to recover damage if you have developed chronic pain resulting from an accident or injury caused by another's negligence, doing so is not recommended. That is largely because chronic pain is subjective and can be much harder to quantify than visible injuries, which makes winning a compensation case and being fairly compensated extremely challenging. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner will make the entire process much easier.

How Attorneys Help Clients Win Chronic Pain Compensation Cases

Attorneys do several things to help clients win a chronic pain compensation case, including compiling medical documentation and hiring medical, vocational, and economic experts to help support the case. They also challenge dismissals when insurance providers attempt to minimize a claim payout because they believe the chronic pain sufferer is exaggerating their symptoms.

Settlement Negotiations and Trial Representation

If an attorney can't secure a satisfactory claim payout, they will begin settlement negotiations with an insurance provider on their client's behalf. The goal in these settlement negotiations is to help their client receive fair compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For reference, over 95% of chronic pain personal injury cases settle out of court. Should settlement negotiations fail, however, the attorney will file a formal lawsuit and present their client in court. That all said, if you are suffering from chronic pain caused by an accident or injury, and that accident or injury was the result of another's negligence, consider hiring an attorney today.