Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawyers

On this page, our lawyers look at complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) as an injury in accident cases and the potential settlement value for CRPS in an injury lawsuit.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that usually affects a patient’s arm or leg but can, in rare instances, impact other body parts. Complex regional pain syndrome involves post-traumatic autonomic disturbances that continue even though the inciting injury appears to have healed.

The cause of complex regional pain syndrome is unknown and has few objective findings. As a result, insurance company defense lawyers in car accident cases have often questioned whether there is a physical basis for complex regional pain syndrome or whether the condition is psychosomatic.

Why? The development of CRPS often does not correlate with the magnitude of the injury. The sympathetic nervous system seems to assume an abnormal function after an injury. Insurance companies see the world very simplistically: if the injury itself is not extremely serious, none of the consequences can be serious. Juries can take a more open-minded view, but you need a good expert at trial to explain the science of CRPS.

The good news is that there are growing medical studies that support complex regional pain syndrome as a real, physical condition. Pain management experts, sometimes experts selected by accident lawyers, but even more typically, the pain management doctors that treat the injured patient in the accident, are now seemingly very well-versed in the science and studies that support the phenomenon of complex regional pain syndrome. More pain management doctors are espousing the theory that there is great therapeutic benefit from early and aggressive treatment of complex regional pain syndrome.

Types of CRPS

CRPS has two forms. CRPS 1 occurs most often in the arms or legs after a minor injury, often from a motor vehicle accident. In these cases, doctors often cannot identify immediately a nerve injury.

CRPS Injury Claims Are Complicated and Still Widely Disputed

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is not the kind of injury that gets instant credibility from an insurance adjuster. It often develops after what looks like a minor injury — a wrist fracture, a sprain, or even a post-surgical complication — and then spirals into life-altering pain and dysfunction.

Despite decades of medical literature, defense lawyers still argue that CRPS is exaggerated or psychological. That makes these cases more complex, but also more valuable when properly documented. We have seen CRPS lawsuits settle quietly for six figures and go to trial for seven-figure verdicts. The difference often comes down to the strength of your diagnosis, your treating doctors, and how clearly your case ties the condition back to the original injury.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Symptoms

The most critical symptom in CRPS is an intense and burning feeling that is out of proportion to the injury suffered. It usually begins at the point of injury but spreads to the entire limb, and will even go to the arm or leg on the opposite side of the body. This sensation with CRPS will get worse over time. Other symptoms include:

• pathological changes in bone and skin
• excessive sweating
• inflammation
• spasms
• extreme sensitivity to touch
• insomnia
• depression
• agitation and/or irritability

When Our Lawyers See CRPS Cases

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is one of those injuries that shows up in cases where nobody expects a major fight… until they do. You most often see CRPS in car accident lawsuits, especially rear-end collisions, where the visible injuries seem limited to soft tissue damage or a minor fracture. It also surfaces in fall cases, particularly ankle, foot, wrist, or hand trauma. Even a basic slip and fall can lead to CRPS if the nerve involvement is just right or wrong, depending on how you look at it.

You also see CRPS in cases that involve orthopedic surgery or medical hardware, such as pins or plates, especially when something irritates or impinges on a nerve. In workers’ compensation claims, it is not uncommon for a seemingly straightforward crush injury to evolve into full-blown CRPS over time.

From a litigation standpoint, CRPS is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can dramatically increase the settlement value of a case due to the chronic pain, long-term treatment, and loss of function. But it invites skepticism from defense lawyers and insurance adjusters. They know CRPS is difficult to diagnose objectively. There is no single blood test or imaging study that seals the deal. So their first move is usually to suggest that the symptoms are exaggerated or psychosomatic. They will look for a gap in treatment or a vague medical record and try to build their case on doubt. These are cases that need the best lawyers and credible victims to win.

Experienced lawyers know that CRPS can turn a modest injury case into a high-stakes fight. But to win that fight, you need the right kind of medical expert. This is typically a pain management physician who has actually treated the patient, not just reviewed their chart. You also need, again, a credible client and a paper trail that shows the condition is real, progressive, and life-altering.

CRPS changes the entire nature of a lawsuit. It takes what could have been a $20,000 settlement and turns it into a case that demands six or seven figures. But you must be ready for a battle, because defense lawyers treat CRPS claims as uphill climbs. The moment the diagnosis appears in the record, everyone on the other side digs in.

CRPS Injuries Settlement Amounts

Settlement amounts in complex regional pain syndrome lawsuits hinge on several critical factors. The starting point is always liability.  For a high-value settlement, it you need to convincingly establish that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the initial injury leading to CRPS. This is particularly challenging in cases where the initial injury was seemingly minor. Defense lawyers always argue that the injury itself should not have led to severe consequences like CRPS. A solid liability case with clear evidence of the defendant’s fault—such as accident reports, witness testimony, or video evidence—strengthens the plaintiff’s position significantly, as it limits the defense’s ability to dispute responsibility.

Causation is another essential, and often complex, element in determining settlement amounts for CRPS claims. Defense attorneys frequently argue that CRPS is either psychosomatic or unrelated to the specific incident, contending that the condition’s development does not align with the severity of the injury or that it could have resulted from other factors. To counter these arguments, plaintiffs must present credible medical testimony from solid experts linking the CRPS diagnosis to the initial injury. You need strong expert witnesses who can explain how CRPS can develop even from seemingly minor injuries due to abnormalities in the sympathetic nervous system, helping to establish a direct causation link essential for a successful case.

After you get past those hurdles, the severity of CRPS symptoms and their impact on the plaintiff’s daily life and ability to work are major components in calculating settlement value. Cases involving severe, persistent pain significantly limiting a person’s ability to perform daily activities or maintain employment are likely to secure higher settlement amounts.

Defense attorneys will invariably attempt to downplay the impact, suggesting plaintiffs have adapted to their condition or that their limitations are overstated. Nonetheless, when plaintiffs can provide documented medical evidence, like imaging showing physical changes or treatment histories illustrating persistent pain and disability, they strengthen the argument for higher compensation.

Medical expenses and lost wages, both past and projected, also play a critical role. CRPS often requires costly, long-term care, including nerve blocks, physical therapy, and pain management medications. Insurance adjusters are never happy to see a lot of economic damage.  While defense attorneys may argue that future care estimates are exaggerated or unnecessary, strong, well-documented medical testimony supporting these needs can help secure compensation for future treatment, contributing to a higher settlement.

Jury Verdicts and Settlements in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Case

This is a non-representative sampling of jury verdicts and settlements around the country in claims in which patients suffered from CRPS.

• 2025, Nevada: $15,000,000 Verdict  A Nevada state court jury found a Las Vegas casino liable for life-altering injuries sustained by a woman who slipped on a spilled drink during a private event at The Cosmopolitan Hotel. The fall resulted in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic neurological condition that caused ongoing and debilitating pain. Despite defense arguments that the party’s organizers, not the hotel, were responsible for the area, jurors unanimously determined the casino bore liability. The verdict included roughly $1 million in medical costs and $14 million for extensive past and future pain and suffering. Key to the plaintiff’s case was surveillance footage capturing a hotel security manager’s reaction to the fall and damning testimony from a corporate representative who denied wrongdoing even after viewing the video. The $15 million award surpassed a $12 million pre-trial demand after rejecting a $2.75 million defense offer just before trial. The swift 75-minute deliberation underscored the jury’s clarity on the issue of responsibility and the severity of CRPS.
• 2024, Connecticut: $9,000,000 Verdict. The plaintiff was participating in the lily pad water activity at an outdoor recreational facility. As he was trying to make his way across several soft foam discs, floating in a quarry, anchored by chains/cables when he slipped on one of them. The plaintiff reportedly fell into the water feet first, his left foot and ankle striking a sharp, submerged, and concealed object that was part of the anchoring mechanism. The plaintiff allegedly suffered left foot and ankle avulsion/lacerations, left foot and ankle nerve damage, left foot and ankle infection, complex regional pain syndrome of the lower left extremity, and scarring.
• 2024, Iowa: $22,212 Verdict. The plaintiff was driving on the highway when the defendant changed into her lane and caused a collision. The plaintiff allegedly suffered a concussion and injuries to her left hand, including numbness and paresthesia, left thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, radial nerve irritation, cubital tunnel syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome.
• 2023, Maryland: $450,000 Verdict.  A 70-year-old caregiver was struck by a vehicle while heading to her car, parked on a residential street, leading to a significant hand injury. Following the accident, she was diagnosed with CRPS in the injured hand. The treatment regimen for the caregiver involved physical therapy aimed at improving hand function and pain management strategies to cope with the syndrome’s debilitating effects. Despite these interventions, the individual reported a limited range of motion in the hand, impacting their ability to perform previous work duties and necessitating claims for medical expenses and compensation for the resulting limitations and suffering. This case went to trial.  Why?  Insurance companies often do not appreciate the suffering from CRPS, and the medical bills are rarely high enough to impress the insurance company.  But the Baltimore County jury did not care about the amount of the medical bills. They focused on the pain and suffering and awarded her $511,399 despite only $11,399 in medical bills.
• 2022, California: $5,000,000 Verdict. A woman was hit by an Amazon delivery van in a parking lot, leading to significant injuries, including a severely injured left leg, neck and back trauma, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). A California state court jury awarded her $5 million in damages, recognizing the severity of her injuries. The verdict, reached after Amazon admitted liability, was less than the $24 million her attorneys sought but exceeded Amazon’s suggestion of $1.3 million as fair compensation.
• 2021, California: $1,253,000 Verdict. A woman walked through an office building’s second-floor exterior deck. The surface underneath her collapsed. The woman’s left leg broke through the surface. As a result, she fell. The woman’s leg protruded down the deck’s surface. She suffered L4-5 protrusions with radiculopathy, complex regional pain syndrome, tailbone pain, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, migraines, and ankle, knee, hip, and left shoulder injuries. The woman alleged negligence against the premises’ owners. She claimed they failed to maintain safe premises and repair the hazard. The jury awarded $1,253,000.
• 2021, Colorado: $8,400,000 Verdict. An electrician worked at a construction site. He came into contact with an electric box. The man experienced an electric shock for 45 seconds. He developed complex regional pain syndrome in his leg and both arms. The man alleged negligence against the subcontractor. He claimed it failed to properly install the electric box, properly turn it off, and maintain safe premises. The jury awarded $8,400,000.
• 2021, Colorado: $1,681,675 Verdict. A woman was rear-ended. She suffered complex regional pain syndrome to her lower left leg, lumbosacral radiculopathy with leg tingling and numbness, spondylosis, incontinence, trochanteric pain syndrome, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The woman underwent multiple surgeries. She alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. The woman claimed he failed to control his vehicle, apply the brakes in a timely manner, and maintain an appropriate distance between vehicles. A jury awarded $1,681,675.
• 2021, Minnesota: $8,000,000 Verdict. A 35-year-old railroad conductor attempted to remove a defective flashing rear-end device. He suffered left-hand and wrist smash injuries with nerve damage. The man underwent a wrist decompression. He developed complex regional pain syndrome. The man could no longer work as a railroad conductor. He alleged negligence against his employer. The man claimed it failed to maintain safe working conditions and properly inspect and repair the equipment. A jury awarded $8,000,000.
• 2021, Pennsylvania: $15,556,000 Verdict. A 28-year-old traction power maintainer was crushed by a three-ton copper trolley reel. The man suffered blunt abdominal trauma, small bowel tears, mesenteric tears, a brachial plexus injury, and an ascending colon. He underwent anastomosis and a small bowel resection. The man developed complex regional pain syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic migraines. He alleged negligence against his employer. The man claimed it failed to maintain a safe worksite, inspect and repair its equipment, and monitor the worksite. A jury awarded $15,556,000.
• 2021, Massachusetts: $100,000 Verdict. A 56-year-old man walked along an airport terminal’s crosswalk. He was struck by a tow truck. The man suffered a left meniscus tear, Morton’s neuroma, left knee and hip osteoarthritis, and complex regional pain syndrome in his lower left leg. He alleged negligence against the tow truck driver. The man claimed he failed to maintain an appropriate lookout. A jury awarded $100,000.

What is the Average Settlement Amount for CRPS in a Lawsuit?

The average settlement value of CRPS in a personal injury lawsuit depends on the type of related injuries involved. CRPS is rarely a stand-alone injury in a lawsuit but rather an aggravating factor related to some underlying injury.

Here is how the CRPS settlement compensation payouts work in most cases. Keep in mind, every case is different, and we are painting with a very broad brush here:

 Hiring a Lawyer for Your Case

If you have complex regional pain syndrome, call one of our lawyers at 800-553-8082. We handle accident lawsuits throughout the United States. You can also click here for a free no obligation consultation.