Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Attorney

Queens Medical Malpractice Lawyer Representing CRPS Patients

If you’re suffering from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathy dystrophy (RSD), every day can be a struggle. Chronic pain can affect your job, your relationships, your family, and your emotional well-being.

As a Queens medical malpractice lawyer, Attorney David A. Kates is committed to helping people with CRPS who are suffering because of the negligence of a healthcare professional. If your condition was caused or exacerbated by substandard medical care, you may have grounds for a lawsuit to pursue financial compensation for:

• Medical services
• Physical therapy
• Loss of earnings
• Hospital expenses
• Rehabilitative treatments
• Prescription medications

...and more. If you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice due to CRPS or other medical conditions, it's imperative to take swift legal action by securing strong representation. Our firm will fight tirelessly to pursue justice and maximum compensation on your behalf for the suffering you've endured.

Our firm offers free initial consultations to serve victims of medical malpractice. Contact us online to discuss your case with our NY attorney.

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formally known as reflex sympathy dystrophy (RSD) is considered a nerve-related issue that can cause chronic pain and other symptoms in the affected part of the body, typically starting in the fingers or toes and spreading upward through the arm or leg.

Common symptoms of CRPS include:

• Swelling
• Burning pain
• Cold sensitivity
• Constant throbbing
• Decreased mobility
• Sensitivity to touch
• Joint swelling and stiffness
• Changes in nail and hair growth
• Muscle spasms, tremors, and weakness
• Skin color, texture, and temperature changes

These symptoms can occur in the affected part of the body, usually the arm, leg, hand, or foot. It can sometimes spread, such as to the limb on the other side of the body.

Early treatment can provide improvement, relief, and even remission, and in other cases, CRPS may resolve on its own. Some patients with CRPS find little relief and may experience symptoms for months or even years.

CRPS & Surgical Malpractice

Navigating life with CRPS can be grueling. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CRPS. In many cases, CRPS can develop after the following:

• Stroke
• Surgery
• Heart attack
• Traumatic injury

If you or someone you love developed CRPS after surgery, the procedure should be carefully reviewed to determine whether a mistake was made. Any form of surgical error could adversely affect a patient, and in your case, it could even be linked to CRPS.

Establishing Liability in CRPS Lawsuits

A thorough investigation can reveal whether the procedure was botched because a surgeon, surgical nurse, or other medical professional failed to provide an acceptable level of care.

Suffering due to malpractice? Call (718) 866-3664 to schedule a free consultation with our Queens attorney.

Failure to Diagnose/Treat CRPS

Attorney David Kates can also help if you have CRPS and your doctor fails to diagnose or treat it in a timely manner. Diagnosing chronic pain conditions can be difficult, but your doctor should take the necessary steps by reviewing your medical history, talking to you about your symptoms, and performing any relevant tests to diagnose you properly.

Importance of Hiring Skilled Representation for CRPS Lawsuits

It is only natural to turn to a doctor first if you are suffering from CRPS; however, they are not the only professionals who can aid you during this time. CRPS often develops into a debilitating condition that requires a lifetime of ongoing medical care, which can be a very expensive proposition.

Not only that, but CRPS can have a profound effect on a person's personal and professional life. If you or someone you love has developed CRPS due to a medical professional's carelessness, you have a right to seek compensation for your associated losses.

A lawyer experienced in handling CRPS claims can help you build a case against those responsible in pursuit of full and fair compensation. Having a qualified medical malpractice attorney in your corner can be an invaluable asset during your case. Your lawyer can help with CRPS lawsuits by assisting with:

• Collecting and analyzing all medical records pertaining to your injury
• Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Consulting with expert medical professionals to strengthen your claim
• Increased odds of securing a higher CRPS lawsuit settlement that compensates you for the full value of your losses
• Invaluable guidance to help you avoid costly pitfalls
• Intimate knowledge of the law and how it applies to your case

What Is the NY Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations?

In the State of New York, injured patients have two-and-a-half years from the date of injury—or from the date that they discovered their injury was the result of malpractice—to file a medical malpractice case.

If the victim was a child, however, this statute of limitations does not start to run until the child’s 18th birthday. It's important that you contact a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible, as there may be specific deadlines that, if not met, may result in forfeiture of any compensation.

Key Points from Netflix’s Take Care of Maya

The 2023 Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya has already earned national acclaim. The film sheds light on an urgent issue in U.S. society: medical malpractice. Directed by Henry Roosevelt, it tells the tragic true story of Maya Kowalski and her family's fight against accusations of abuse by a Florida hospital.

The documentary is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that medical malpractice can have on our lives, not to mention the lives of our friends, family, and loved ones. It identifies various key issues surrounding ethical healthcare in the U.S., including:

1. Inadequate Diagnosis and Treatment. The documentary highlights the challenges faced by patients and their families when healthcare providers fail to accurately diagnose and treat medical conditions. Maya's struggle with a rare pain disorder (CRPS) emphasizes the importance of thorough medical evaluation and appropriate treatment.
2. Lack of Communication and Empathy. Take Care of Maya demonstrates the negative impact of a breakdown in communication between healthcare professionals and patients. It underscores the need for healthcare providers to listen attentively, show empathy, and ensure clear and transparent communication to build trust and establish effective care plans.
3. Patient Advocacy and Empowerment. The documentary showcases the power of patient advocacy and the determination of the Kowalski family to fight for justice. It encourages viewers to become proactive advocates for their own healthcare, emphasizing the importance of seeking second opinions, asking questions, and understanding their rights as patients.
4. Medical Errors and Accountability. Take Care of Maya reveals the consequences of medical errors and the struggle to hold healthcare providers accountable. It raises awareness about the need for accountability in the healthcare system and the importance of proper investigation and resolution of medical malpractice cases.
5. Challenges within the U.S. Healthcare System. The documentary highlights the flaws and failures within the U.S. healthcare system. It draws attention to issues such as misdiagnosis, lack of coordination between healthcare providers, and the potential for bias and negligence. By doing so, it prompts discussions about the need for systemic improvements to protect patients' rights and ensure quality care.

By raising awareness about the ethical issues in healthcare, the documentary is contributing to an ongoing dialogue surrounding medical malpractice and the need for systemic change within the U.S. healthcare system.

Contact Our Queens, NY Law Office

If you live in Queens or underwent surgery in this area, and you want to find out if you have a CRPS lawsuit or want more information about CRPS malpractice settlements, the Law Office of David A. Kates can help. With over two decades of legal experience and a practice devoted exclusively to medical malpractice, David can take on challenging and complex CRPS court cases along with conditions whose causes are relatively unknown. He is here to seek justice in your CRPS court case, fighting for a more stable future for you and your family.

Preparing to file a CRPS lawsuit? Call (718) 866-3664 to schedule a consultation with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer in NY.