Key points when claiming for CRPS
- You can claim if your illness was caused by the negligence of another party, like your employer or a medical professional.
- You have 3-years from the date of injury to start a claim, or from the 'date of knowledge' when you became aware of the condition.
- In practice, starting a claim as soon as possible will improve your chances of securing compensation.
- General damages compensation can range from around £24,000 for ongoing pain and fibromyalgia to as much as £94,000 for severe CRPS symptoms. Find out more with our compensation calculator.
- You're eligible to claim under a no win, no fee agreement.
If Complex Regional Pain Syndrome has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition often triggered by an injury, leading to severe, persistent pain that exceeds the typical recovery period.
If you've developed CRPS following an injury caused by someone else's negligence, whether in an accident, at work, or through clinical negligence, we can help.
If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim for complex regional pain syndrome with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
'Complex Regional Pain Syndrome' or 'CRPS' is chronic pain following an injury, surgery, or nerve damage, often experienced in an arm or leg. Treatments may include medication, physical therapy, and nerve blocks.
CRPS is characterized by chronic, severe pain that is disproportionate to the initial injury and can be accompanied by swelling, changes in skin colour, and temperature fluctuations in the affected area.
CRPS can be severe, debilitating and long-lasting. Although the condition can often be managed with medication and various other treatments, there is no known cure.
What are the causes of CRPS?
CRPS typically develops where there is damage to the nervous system, usually after the patient has received an injury or trauma to the affected area. However, a patient may receive a diagnosis of CRPS even where there is no obvious nerve damage. This type of CRPS is known as 'Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy'.
While CRPS is a poorly understood condition, most medical experts agree that it is the result of the attacking healthy tissue after a trauma, a type of autoimmune disease. This means that the is in effect overreacting to an injury.
What are the symptoms of CRPS?
Symptoms vary from person to person, but the condition is characterised by continuous, disabling pain at the site of injury which may spread to an entire limb or other parts of the in some cases. The pain is usually described as burning, although some patients may experience stinging, tingling and numbness in the affected area.
Other symptoms include:
- Swelling in the joints
- Changes in the temperature and skin colour of the affected area
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Abnormal hair and nail growth
- Tremors and muscle spasms
- Sleeping difficulties.
The periods of pain associated with CRPS are known as flare-ups. They can last for several days or weeks. As well as causing extreme discomfort, flare-ups can make it difficult for the sufferer to work, move around or carry out their daily activities.
For information on CPRS symptoms and treatment, visit: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (nhs.uk).
See also:
Nerve damage compensation claims
Over 30% of people have chronic pain - you are not alone
CRPS is relatively rare compared to other medical conditions. It typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack, but the exact incidence rate is not well-established due to its rarity and the challenges in diagnosis.
The condition is more commonly diagnosed in women and can occur at any age, but the majority of cases are seen in people between 40 and 60 years old. Due to its complexity and varying symptoms, CRPS is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which makes determining its exact prevalence challenging.
In a report published by Public Health England, 34% of men and 38% of women reported some level of chronic pain (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk).
If you have been diagnosed with CRPS as a result of an accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
If you decide to make a CRPS claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.
How much compensation can I claim for complex regional pain syndrome?
The level of compensation you can claim for CRPS will depend on:
- the degree of your injury,
- the effect your injury has on your daily routine and work life,
- any expenses or financial setbacks caused by your injury.
Complex regional pain syndrome
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General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for loss of earnings, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as pain medication, physical therapy, sympathetic nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average complex regional pain syndrome compensation payouts
The following complex regional pain syndrome payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Severity | Example | Amount |
---|---|---|
Moderate | Moderate CRPS with significant, long-term symptoms where recovery is expected in the future | £31,090 to £58,250 |
Severe | Severe CRPS with a psychological impact and poor prospects for recovery | £58,250 to £93,200 |
Non-CRPS pain disorders
Severity | Example | Amount |
---|---|---|
Moderate | Significant ongoing symptoms, including fibromyalgia, affecting your life and ability to work | £23,370 to £42,700 |
Severe | More serious symptoms affecting your daily life and ability to work, with a poor prognosis | £46,740 to £69,880 |
Can I claim for PTSD or other psychological trauma?
If you have experienced psychological issues in addition to physical symptoms, you are not alone.
Our 2025 Personal Injury Claimant Survey found that 29.03% of claimants reported a psychological injury, with 70.97% of these relating to a physical injury.
This syndrome is often associated with psychological conditions and depression, typical in pain-related conditions.
A specialist solicitor will consider psychological harm when calculating your compensation. Psychiatric injuries are recognised in the official guidelines for compensation, and the cost of treatment and other mental health support should be included in your compensation award or settlement.
Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.
Do I have a complex regional pain syndrome claim?
Yes, you can start a compensation claim for complex regional pain syndrome, if:
- you became ill in the last 3 years, and;
- another person was at fault, and;
- that person owed a duty of care to prevent foreseeable hazards.
Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
How long after a complex regional pain syndrome do I have to start a claim?
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.
If you were injured due to someone else's negligence but didn't realise it at the time, the clock starts ticking from the 'date of knowledge' - the day you become aware of your injury.
If you were injured when you were under 18, a parent, guardian or adult 'litigation friend' can make a claim on your behalf. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start an injury claim.
How making a claim can help you
CRPS can severely impact your quality of life, often causing pain, income loss during flare-ups, and reduced ability to work. While compensation can't stop your suffering, it can help ease the financial strain. A solicitor can secure compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings
- Pain management services
- Therapy and counselling
- Physiotherapy
- Travel costs
Compensation is based on your illness's severity and long-term impact. A personal injury solicitor will arrange a medical assessment to support your claim. The report will form the basis of your compensation.
How caused your CRPS?
The process for a complex regional pain syndrome claim depends the circumstances of the accident. To learn more, click the icons below:
Can I make a no win, no fee complex regional pain syndrome claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim complex regional pain syndrome compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to an injury specialist about your claim?
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Complex regional pain syndrome - NHS (reviewed: 27/07/2024)
Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.