When injured on the job, temporary pain is generally expected. What happens, though, if pain persists long after an injury occurs? CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome, is actually a fairly common thing following injuries to the peripheral or central nervous system. This type of pain can be debilitating and can affect one’s personal and professional life. California residents whose workplace injuries result in CRPS may access workers’ compensation benefits to cover their losses.
CRPS can affect males or females, from teenage years to mid-adulthood. It does not often occur in children or the elderly. The most common symptoms associated with CRPS is prolonged pain — typically in the limbs. This can feel like a burning, squeezing or pin and needles sensation. Other symptoms that may be noted include:
- Skin color changes
- Swelling
- Skin temperature changes
- Stiff joints
- Tremors
Not everyone who experiences trauma to the central or peripheral nervous system will develop CRPS. For this reason, doctors are not exactly sure what causes this disorder. However, it is commonly seen in those who have suffered:
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Burns
- Cuts
The types of injuries that can cause CRPS often occur in the workplace. Those in California who have suffered workplace injuries and have developed CRPS may access workers’ compensation benefits in order to have their medical care, disability and any other associated losses covered. An experienced attorney can assist those struggling to receive full benefits and can even help file any applicable third-party legal claims against those believed responsible for one’s injuries in order to seek further damages.
Source: ninds.nih.gov, “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fact Sheet“, Accessed on Jan. 29, 2017