Reflex Sympathetic Distrophy (RSD), now more commonly referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a very serious condition and a very controvertial diagnosis in Pennsylvania workers' compensation.
Patients with RSD/CRPS experience great pain and functional deficits. Effective treatments are limited and costly. The condition may have very significant, lifetime effects.
Yet it is very difficult to confirm this diagnosis in the workers compensation forum. Employers and insurance companies add insult to grave injury by uniformly contesting relevant claims. One reason is that it is simply in the nature of insurance companies and employers to try to avoid or minimize their responsibilities when a worker suffers an injury. Another reason is that the very fact these diagnoses are so serious encourages employer's and insurers to fight tooth and nail to avoid the resulting long-term and expensive exposure marked by a patient's need for treatment and potential for very lengthy or even permanent disability from the workforce. Another reason is that the diagnosis itself is controvertial. Few patients have all of the textbooks of RSD/CRPS (including color changes, temperature changes, skin texture or skin tone abnormalities, changes in nail or hair growth, severe pain and other abnormalites in the injured extremity or affected area). Some may have only few symptoms, appearing clinically only rarely. Moreover, the condition is frequently misdiagnosed or over-diagnosed where a given patient simply has unexplained severe pain. This last has the effect of making judges skeptical, and compells judges to look carefullly at all evidence to distinguish the true cases from the cases in which the diagnosis may be less well supported. Because the condition is so controvertial, and because the stakes are so high when the diagnosis is recognized in connection with a work injury, a Workers' Compensation may at times be compelled to deny the diagnosis or the causal connection to the work injury where the evidence is borderline or at all weak in its content or its presentation. Meanwhile, doctors may hesitate to conclusively state the diagnosis out of fear that it may compromise other diagnoses (for example an orthopedic injury that may have triggered the RSD in the first instance).
Insurance doctors work to shoot down the diagnosis of RSD/CRPS in work injury cases, citing any and all failures in the documentation of the condition and faulting claimant's for anything short of a "textbook" clear presentation of the diagnosis -- when indeed few of these cases fit the textbook pattern and few have all of the clinical diagnostic indicators present on a single examination.
An experienced attorney who is a workers' compensation specialist will be able to guide you toward the care you need and help you to secure the medical evidence necessary to ensure you are compensated properly when a treating doctor suspects the presence of RSD or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Our office is accustomed to handling these claims. We know what it takes to compel an insurance carrier to recognize this serious diagnosis and to get our clients the benefits they deserve. Call us today to determine what we can do to help you: Tim Kennedy 484-452-8144.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS:
I had a serious work related injury. I hired Tim after speaking with him and feeling completely at ease with his professionalism and demeanor. My case became complicated over time. Throughout the process I always felt that Tim had my best interest in mind. With every phone call or email, Tim was very informative and proactive, always explaining things in a way I could understand. He worked hard for me in his dealings with my employers insurance company. He did this so much so, the insurance company actually fired their own attorneys in the middle of litigation. In the end, Tim was able to negotiate a substantial settlement, including taking the burden off of me of an excessive amount of unpaid medical bills. I would highly recommend Tim.
- B (Workers Compensation client)
"I" truly, Love / Respect and Appreciate - "Attorney: Timothy James Kennedy" for, his (highly, professional / unselfish {going, above and beyond} / highly, dedicated) approach in working with, me / my, un-fortunate circumstance(s) and my (unfortunate), legal dilemma... and, will (with; every, opportunity) be highly, recommending his legal services to (all) family / friends and strangers found in-need of such, ser-vices!!!
"Attorney: Timothy James Kennedy" is (not, only) a, true professional -He is a, loving / caring / sharing human being who (not, only) cares about his, cases and reputation; but, cares (also) for the lives and the families of those he so-caringly and so-humbly, represents!!!
He will (always) be appreciated and will never - ever - be, forgotten. "I" (on, behalf of myself and my, family) appreciates the fact that, He was willing to stop-by and become, "The Good Samaritan" in our, lives!!!
- Michael (Workers Compensation Client)
Timothy is a really great lawyer. He knows what to do, and how to handle really sticky situations. When I first came to him, I had very little to back me up, but we mainly him lol pulled through and got the job done with GREAT results. If I could back in time I would still pick him as a lawyer 1000 times more. He took his time, talk to me like I was a person and not a dollor sign, and made lawyer jargon understandable english for me. I truely felt comfortable with him handling my case, and I never doubted him since the very first meeting. I also like that he gives his personal direct number to get in contact with him whenever you may need him, and he always responds if not that same day, the very next. The only bad thing I would have to say is its a shame I would have legal trouble to work with him again lol.
-Trina (Workers Compensation Client)
Highly knowledgable in the law with excellent people skills..I highly recommend Mr. Kennedy.
- Current Workers Compensation Client
As these testimonials reflect, we work very hard to satisfy our clients and to ensure the best results in handling their claims. Call us now to let us explain how we can help you advance your rights and interests, so that you too can become a satisfied client.
-Tim Kennedy
(484) 453-8144