After a major accident, the risk of chronic pain is something many people don’t think about. They assume they’ll heal eventually, but not everything goes away. Long-lasting or permanent pain can greatly affect your life. Chronic pain is something that can be a part of your personal injury claim, and may entitle you to significant compensation for it.
At Griffin Law Group, LLC, our dedicated Texas injury lawyers know the impact chronic pain can have on your life. If that pain was someone else’s fault, you have the rights to compensation.
Chronic Pain After an Accident
Chronic pain is usually considered anything that lasts longer than 12 weeks, though this definition is general. After a severe accident in Texas, you could have experienced symptoms such as:
- Persistent neck pain
- Lasting back pain
- Nerve pain
- Numbness
- Headaches or migraines
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Less mobility
- Lasting pain
- Disruption to sleep
- Inability to work
What Injuries Cause Chronic Pain?
Symptoms often occur because of injuries like:
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Herniated discs
- Fractures
- Displacements
- Complications from other injuries
Can You Still Win a Texas Injury Claim With Chronic Pain?
Yes. Texans can recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning ability
- Diminished quality of life
All of these are related to chronic pain.
The key is proving:
- The accident caused the pain, even if symptoms developed gradually.
- The pain is real.
- The pain affects your daily life, work, or long-term health.
Texas courts recognize that chronic pain can be disabling, and juries often understand how deeply it can impact someone’s life. The challenge is overcoming insurance company tactics designed to downplay or deny these claims.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Chronic Pain Claims
Chronic pain cases are often harder to “see” on paper, which makes them a target for insurers. Common arguments include:
- “There’s no objective evidence of injury.”
- “Your pain is from a pre-existing condition.”
- “You waited too long to seek treatment.”
- “Your symptoms don’t match the severity of the accident.”
- “You should have recovered by now.”
How to Strengthen a Chronic Pain Injury Claim in Texas
Claims of chronic pain require strong evidence. You can seek to prove your claim when you:
1. Seek Medical Care Early and Consistently
Get medical attention right away, and don’t wait. Make regular appointments and keep them.
2. Follow All Treatment Recommendations
Do what your doctor tells you to do. Every step you take shows you’re taking it seriously and not the fault of your own chronic pain.
3. Document Your Daily Pain
Keep a journal of your pain. Note how it affects your life, such as your work or sleep.
4. Get Evaluations From Specialists
Speak to specialists that provide help with the type of pain you face. Their expert testimony may be especially helpful in proving your claim.
5. Gather Witness Statements
Get statements from people such as:
- Coworkers
- Family members
- Friends
- Supervisors
Their testimony about what they’ve seen can make a big difference.
6. Work With a Texas Personal Injury Attorney
Your attorney is a must in complicated cases like these. They know how to fight back against insurance companies and present the evidence the right way.
What Compensation Can Chronic Pain Victims Recover?
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Physical therapy and pain management
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term disability or impairment
Talk to a Texas Personal Injury Accident Attorney About Your Chronic Pain
If you are dealing with acute or chronic pain following an accident, know that you have the right to seek compensation. A personal injury lawsuit or a workers’ comp claim may be appropriate depending on how you were injured. Our team is ready to investigate what happened and hold the responsible party accountable.
Consult a Texas accident lawyer at Griffin Law Group, LLC for help. Contact us today for a consultation of your case.