Peripheral nerve injury can cause pain, weakness, and numbness, usually in the hands or feet. It affects nerves in the body lying outside of the brain and spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for movement and sensation, as well as function of the glands and organs.
Common Causes of Peripheral Nerve Injury
Nerve injuries usually result from stretching or pressing on the nerve. Types of accidents that commonly cause peripheral nerve injury include:
- Motor vehicle accidents (including car, truck, bus, bicycle and pedestrian accidents)
- Construction accidents
- On-the-job injuries
- Slip or trip and fall accidents
- Falls from heights
- Gunshot wounds
CRPS: The Unforeseen Side Effect of Many Car Accidents
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition associated with peripheral nerve injuries. It often develops after car accidents that cause forceful trauma to an arm or a leg, which may include crush injuries, fractures, or amputations. People suffering with this condition experience high levels of nerve impulses at the affected site. CRPS usually affects an arm or a leg and typically develops after an injury, surgery, a stroke, or a heart attack.
What Are the Symptoms of CRPS?
Symptoms of CRPS may vary from person to person and change over time. They may spread to another location in the body, such as the opposite limb. Symptoms may include:
- Continuous burning or throbbing
- Pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area
- Sensitivity to cold or touch
- Changes in skin temperature, alternating between cold and sweaty
- Changes in skin color and texture
- Changes in nail and hair growth
- Muscle spasms, tremors, weakness, and atrophy
- Joint damage, stiffness, and swelling
- Decreased ability to move affected body parts
Complications with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
If CRPS is not diagnosed and treated early, it may progress to more disabling symptoms, which may include:
- Tissue atrophy: Skin, bones, and muscles may begin to weaken and waste away through lack of movement of an arm or leg because of pain or stiffness.
- Muscle contracture: Tightening of the muscles with CRPS can lead to a condition in which the hand and fingers or foot and toes contract into a fixed position.
Why You Need a Lawyer Near Me in Colorado
If you are suffering with CRPS after a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver. Cases involving peripheral nerve injuries can be complicated. Our Boulder personal injury lawyers at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC can investigate your accident, interview witnesses, secure and preserve evidence, and construct a strong claim for compensation based on the facts. We can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and pursue full and fair compensation in court, if necessary.
We have recovered tens of millions in settlements, awards, and verdicts for our clients. Our firm was founded in 1992. Call us at (303) 665-2929 to schedule a free consultation with no obligation. We handle our cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us no fees until we secure compensation for you. We have offices in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.