Breaking a bone in a car crash is painful and inconvenient. However, people typically expect to make a full recovery. Modern medical professionals are capable of setting even the most serious fractures. Although some types of fractures require surgery, people with open fractures or comminuted fractures can eventually heal if they receive appropriate treatment.
Those with fractures sustained in a car crash might expect the insurance coverage of the driver at fault to fully pay for their losses. Unfortunately, they may end up disappointed and left with significant expenses. Broken bones do not always heal cleanly. In fact, the trauma of a fracture could trigger a lifelong medical condition that could result in devastating medical and financial consequences.
Broken bones can cause a degenerative condition
The body typically has the ability to heal traumatic injuries. Sometimes, things go wrong during the healing process, leading to significant medical complications. Broken bones are among the most common initial traumas that eventually lead to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
CRPS develops when the body heals improperly. A combination of improper responses from nerves and inflammation can cause a variety of painful and limiting symptoms. People with CRPS may notice that the skin, hair or nails on the affected body part appear different than the tissue on the other side of their body.
They may experience a permanent reduction in their strength and range of motion in the affected body part. Chronic pain symptoms are also common. People may feel a deep pain sensation with even minimal physical contact. A shower could be painful for a person with CRPS.
CRPS does not respond to any sort of medical treatment. At best, people can use medication to manage their symptoms. However, the condition is likely to persist for life and may even worsen as time passes. As such, those with fractures that lead to CRPS may find that they have expenses that go well beyond what insurance covers. They may have a lifetime of increased medical costs and diminished earning potential.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit when a car crash fracture leads to CRPS may be the most reasonable response to a difficult situation. People in need of financial relief when an injury proves catastrophic may need to go to court if insurance can’t cover their losses caused by another’s negligence.