Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic and often debilitating pain condition most often affecting one of the extremities following trauma to a limb. Although the pathophysiology of CRPS is poorly understood, it is thought to involve either an injury or a malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous systems. Two types of CRPS have been recognized that share the same clinical symptoms and treatments. CRPS-I, formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) where the pain is not associated with an identifiable nerve injury and CRPS-II, formerly known as causalgia, where the pain can be traced to a nerve injury. The one common cardinal feature of both types of CRPS is severe pain that is disproportionate to the initial trauma or injury which, in many cases, can be minor. In addition to severe and unremitting pain that can lead to physical disabilities, people with CRPS are also prone to developing a variety of mental disorders such as depression, fear, and anxiety.
Litigating CRPS cases can be challenging because there is no single diagnostic test to confirm CRPS and the diagnosis is often based on the patient’s medical history and signs and symptoms. Distinguishing CRPS from other conditions that can cause similar symptoms is also challenging from a diagnostic perspective. Since many people with CRPS gradually improve over time, diagnosis may be more difficult later in the course of the disorder. Moreover, the treatment of CRPS is also challenging and is often protracted thereby leading to considerable claim expenses for both medical care and disability benefits. Treatment failure in CRPS is not uncommon and a subgroup of patients continue to experience severe, chronic pain that can cause functional impairment, absence from work, psychological disturbances, and a reduced quality of life.
Experienced trial lawyers have learned that one way to maximize their success with CRPS cases is to read the literature. A substantial body of literature has been published over the past 2 decades in well respected medical journals implicating trauma as the leading cause of CRPS and documenting the severe and often debilitating nature of the pain that frequently necessitates long-term ongoing treatment for people with CRPS. Finding the critical articles that can help attorneys support their claims in CRPS cases, however, can be a tricky and time-consuming process. Medifocus Legal has solved this problem by researching the medical literature and compiling a reference Guide of 149 hand-picked journal articles specifically for personal injury lawyers who litigate these often hard-fought CRPS cases.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team Handles a Wide Variety of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims
The Schmidt Salita Law Team handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian car accidents, and bicycle accidents. It has many years of experience in workers’ compensation, product liability, and medical malpractice cases.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has extensive experience with concussion injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, whiplash injuries, broken bones, injured joint injuries (knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, ankle, spinal), amputation injuries, and vision and eye injuries.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has offices throughout the State of Minnesota. Its primary location is at Ridgedale Office Center in Minnetonka, near the intersection of I394 and I494. The offices are ground level, handicap accessible with ample parking.
The Schmidt Salita Team Offers Contingent Fee Arrangements
The firm offers contingent fee agreements (You don’t pay lawyers fees until you collect and then only as a percentage of the settlement). It also offers home and hospital visits to clients whose injuries present difficulty in coming to the office.
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The Schmidt Salita Law Team has locations throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Osseo, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Blaine, Shoreview, Woodbury, Falcon Heights, Columbia Park, Stillwater, Hastings, Inver Grove, Cottage Grove, South St. Paul, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, Chaska, Chanhassen, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins.