When most people think about personal injury claims, they picture broken bones, whiplash, or visible wounds. However, one of the most debilitating and life-altering consequences of an accident is often invisible—chronic pain. A recent article in The New York Times highlighted the staggering reality that over two billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, yet medical science and the legal system frequently fail to recognize its full impact.
The Hidden Epidemic of Chronic Pain for Personal Injury Clients
Unlike an acute injury, which heals with time, chronic pain persists for months or even years. It can stem from nerve damage, surgeries, or even seemingly minor injuries that trigger long-term pain syndromes. For personal injury victims, this means that the suffering doesn’t end when the cast comes off or the bruises fade.
Medical professionals now understand that chronic pain is not just a symptom—it is a disease in itself. Unfortunately, insurance companies and defense attorneys often dismiss claims of ongoing pain as exaggerations or psychological issues. This skepticism creates an uphill battle for injury victims seeking the compensation they need to cope with lifelong discomfort and disability.
Why Chronic Pain Cases Are So Difficult
Many chronic pain sufferers experience skepticism not only from doctors but also from the legal system. Unlike a broken bone that can be seen on an X-ray, chronic pain does not always show up on traditional medical scans. Instead, it is caused by nerve dysfunction, sensitization, and changes in the brain’s pain-processing systems—things that can’t always be measured in a straightforward way.
Insurance companies use this lack of definitive testing to argue that victims are exaggerating their symptoms. However, modern pain science has revealed that chronic pain is very real, often more disabling than many physical injuries, and deserves full recognition in personal injury claims.
How Science is Catching Up to Chronic Pain
The New York Times article also highlighted recent medical breakthroughs that could transform how chronic pain is treated. Researchers are uncovering genetic markers and nerve dysfunctions that cause pain to persist long after an injury heals. This research is critical for personal injury law because it provides new, science-backed evidence to support claims for long-term pain and suffering damages.
New treatments are on the horizon, including medications that target specific nerve pathways rather than relying on opioids, which have historically been the go-to (and problematic) treatment for chronic pain. These developments will not only help chronic pain sufferers find relief but will also strengthen the legal arguments for recognizing chronic pain as a serious, life-altering injury.
Personal Injury Lawyer Who Cares about Chronic Pain
At Palmetto State Injury Lawyers, we understand that chronic pain can be just as devastating—if not more so—than visible injuries. From an early age, Dana saw firsthand how chronic pain can alter a person’s life. Throughout her childhood, she watched her father suffer from chronic pain that began after a terrible car wreck in his 20s. She also witnessed how he became a victim of the opioid crisis that devastated rural West Virginia, where she grew up. Desperate for relief, he even underwent surgery to fuse the bones in his ankle, but true relief never came. Chronic pain shaped his life, and in many ways, it has shaped Dana's as well.
That personal experience drives Dana's commitment to fighting for those who suffer from chronic pain after an injury. As medical advancements offer new treatment possibilities, we work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the compensation they need to access the care they deserve. Her team collaborates with leading medical experts, and pain specialists to present clear, compelling evidence that chronic pain is real, dsabling, and worthy of full and fair compensation.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury that resulted in ongoing, debilitating pain, don’t let the insurance companies dismiss your suffering. You deserve a legal team that takes chronic pain seriously and fights for the compensation you need to reclaim your life.
Fighting for Chronic Pain Victims in Personal Injury Cases
Chronic pain may not always be visible, but its effects are undeniable. If you are dealing with persistent pain after an accident, contact Palmetto State Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We will fight to ensure that your pain is recognized, respected, and fully compensated.
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