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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Citywide Law GroupHave you been involved in a Los Angeles accident and now suffer from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy? Are you struggling with chronic pain that makes it tough to get through the day? Have you been forced to miss work because the pain is too much? If you have said “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages.

Contact our personal injury attorneys to find out how we can help you maximize the financial award you receive. We know how devastating a condition like Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can be and will fight to get you the money you deserve. Call today to learn more.

Understanding Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

If you experience excruciating and chronic pain long after an accident you may have developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). Even though RSD is classified as a “rare” condition, about 200,000 people will suffer from the disease every year.

RSD is a condition where the nervous system and immune system malfunction. Nerves misfire when damaged tissue is identified, sending a constant flow of pain signals to the brain. The pain you experience tends to be above and beyond what is normal for your particular injury. RSD typically affects the hands, but the feet, arms, and legs can also be impacted.

There are two types of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: Type 1 and Type 2. Classification depends on whether or not a nerve was directly damaged in your traumatic accident.

  • Type 1 RSD: Occurs when your injury did not directly damage a nerve.
  • Type 2 RSD: Occurs when your injury involved distinct damage to a specific area of nerves.

Typing is only used to identify the cause of the condition. RSD tends to progress similarly in individuals diagnosed with both Type 1 RSD and Type 2 RSD.

Stages of RSD

There are three stages of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the condition from developing into its later stages.

Stage 1: Acute

Stage 1 of RSD is known as the “acute” phase and can last for about 3 months. During the acute phase, you may experience:

  • Burning pain in an extremity
  • Increased sensitivity to pressure or touch
  • Swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Skin warm to the touch
  • Redness
  • Skin wrinkles
  • Excessive sweating, and
  • Increased nail and hair growth.

The pain you experience will likely be much more severe than is normal for your type of injury.

Stage 2: Dystrophic

Stage 2 of RSD is “dystrophic” and can last for 3 to 12 months. During the dystrophic phase, you may experience:

  • Increased swelling, above and beyond what was typical in Stage 1
  • Disappearing skin wrinkles
  • Decreased skin temperature
  • Increased stiffness and sensitivity
  • Brittle nails.

Stage 3: Atrophic

Stage 2 of RSD is “atrophic” and typically begins one year after you begin to show signs of the condition. During the atrophic phase, you may experience:

  • Skin becomes stretched, dry, and shiny
  • Stiffness increases, and
  • Mobility becomes limited.

The chronic pain you experience during the first two stages of RSD may begin to subside slightly. However, the effects of the condition may begin to spread to other parts of your body.

Causes of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

The precise cause of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is still a mystery. However, the condition typically occurs after you have been involved in a traumatic event. The event could be an accident, medical procedure, or illness. Some medical professionals believe that trauma to the body causes the nervous system to essentially short circuit. As a result, nerves mistakenly send constant pain signals to the brain. This overactivity affects sweat glands and blood flow in the body, causing many of the condition’s adverse effects.

You may develop RSD if you have sustained trauma as the result of a:

It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing chronic pain after an accident. The pain, when accompanied by stiffness and swelling, could be an early sign of RSD. Chances of recovery increase significantly when the condition is diagnosed and treated during the early stages.

How Our Los Angeles Attorneys Can Help With Your RSD Case

A condition like Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can be debilitating. You may be struggling with agonizing pain and using all of your energy to make it through the day the best you can. Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated and time-consuming. Your best option is to hire an experienced attorney so that you can focus all of your time and energy on getting better.

At Citywide Law Group, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are committed to getting you the money you deserve. We will fight to hold the person who caused your chronic pain responsible for their actions.

Here’s what you can expect when you hire our attorneys to handle your personal injury case:

Protect Your Interests

When you are involved in an accident insurance companies may be quick to offer you a settlement. They may also pressure you into accepting the offer by manipulating your emotions and pain. Early offers are typically low and won’t cover the full extent of your injuries. When you accept a settlement offer you waive your right to pursue additional money in the future.

Conditions like RSD don’t always develop overnight. If you accept an early settlement offer, you may not be able to recover money for costs related to your chronic pain. Our attorneys will fight to hold off negotiations until the full extent of your injuries is identified. This is the only way to make sure that you are compensated for all of the harm you have suffered.

Value Your Case Properly

Conditions like RSD can be difficult to value in terms of dollars and cents. How much is your physical suffering worth? How will your condition affect your ability to work and earn a living? It’s important to carefully analyze your medical records and consult with experts who can offer important insight into the debilitating condition. Our attorneys will make sure that the full extent of your Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is understood. We will advocate to recover damages for costs you experience today as well as costs you’re likely to experience in the future.

Filing a Timely Claim

Personal injury victims in Los Angeles must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of an accident. You can be prohibited from recovering compensation if you don’t file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. There are times, however, when you may not really know that you’ve suffered an injury like Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy until months after your accident. There may even be times when you properly identify the condition after the statute of limitations has lapsed.

There are times when claims can be filed outside of the traditional statute of limitations. If there is a delay in the discovery of your Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, our attorneys will fight to have the statute of limitations extended. When this happens, you will have one year from the date of discovery to file your claim.

Los Angeles Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Attorneys

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a painful condition that can disrupt your life. If you developed RSD after a Los Angeles accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our personal injury attorneys to learn about the benefits of filing a personal injury lawsuit. We offer a free consultation and will help you understand your rights. Call today to get started.