Not all work-related injuries are created equal.
Some are not as cut and dry as slip and fall accidents where an employee breaks a bone or pulls a muscle.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) syndrome, also commonly known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), can be a difficult disorder to prove under workers’ compensation law.
RSD is when the immune system and nervous system respond to trauma caused by tissue damage. Nerves often misfire and send a variety of pain signals to the brain. The level of pain associated with RSD has been labeled as incredibly severe.
RSD is considered rare; however, approximately 200,000 people in the US suffer from this chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder due to work injuries.
Many are unable to perform their duties and some cannot work at all. While anyone can develop RSD, it is most common in women.
Generally, RSD is the result of a musculoskeletal injury, nerve injury or some form of immobilization accident. The treatments for RSD can be incredibly costly, and it’s difficult to confirm a diagnosis in the forum of workers’ compensation.
Below are some common symptoms of RSD. A person typically suffers from a few of the symptoms but not all:
- Abnormal swelling in the affected area
- Severe pain
- Weakness (or possible paralysis) in the affected area
- Abnormal skin temperature and/or color changes
Although many suffer from RSD as a result of a work injury, it is incredibly difficult to prove in a workers’ compensation case. If you or one of a loved one exhibits this type of unexplained extreme pain, contact an experienced personal injury attorney that can guide you properly, help you fight the system, and get you the compensation you deserve.
To learn more, check out our Workers’ Compensation Guide.