San Bernardino CRPS Lawyer
| Feher Law
- Top Rated Trial Firm
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
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Did you know that a retrospective data analysis of 159 CRPS patients from 2009 to 2020 revealed startling statistics in the United States alone? Among these patients, 73.0% were women, with a mean age of 60.9 years, and 27.0% were men, with a mean age of 52.3 years. The analysis also showed that the right side was affected in 46.5% of patients, the left in 52.8%, and 0.7% developed bilateral CRPS.
Combining these stats with our expertise, we understand the challenges and complexities of CRPS cases and are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to our clients. Our team is experienced in handling CRPS cases and is committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of those affected by this debilitating condition.
If you are seeking legal assistance, we have a San Bernardino CRPS lawyer on hand ready to assist you.
Key Takeaways
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, debilitating pain condition that often develops after an injury – it is frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed by insurers despite being a recognized medical condition.
- CRPS can cause permanent, full-body pain and disability – lifetime treatment costs including medications, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulators must be documented in your claim.
- California law gives CRPS victims 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1.
- Insurance companies routinely dispute CRPS claims – having an attorney experienced with complex pain condition cases is essential to overcome their tactics.
- Feher Law handles CRPS cases on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Feher Law Stands Out for CRPS Cases
As complete regional pain syndrome lawyers, we pride ourselves on being a premier law firm dedicated to personal injury cases. Our firm offers unmatched expertise, individualized attention, and a proven track record of success.
By utilizing our services, you’re not just getting legal representation—you’re gaining a committed team focused on fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve after an injury.
- Proven Success: With a proven track record of success, our firm has secured significant compensation for CRPS victims. In a notable case, we obtained a $1.5 million verdict in Los Angeles for Ms. Williams, who suffered a broken femur while being transported to dialysis. Despite her challenges as a wheelchair-bound amputee with severe dementia, we fought vigorously to hold the responsible party accountable, demonstrating our commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for our clients.
- Compassionate Approach: We recognize the emotional and physical toll that CRPS can have on individuals and their families. That’s why our compassionate attorneys offer empathetic guidance and support throughout the legal process. We prioritize your well-being and strive to alleviate your burdens during this challenging time.
- Tailored Legal Representation: We understand that every situation is unique, which is why we provide personalized legal strategies tailored to your specific circumstances. Our experienced attorneys take the time to fully grasp the nuances of your situation, ensuring that your legal needs are addressed with precision and care.
- Litigation and Trial Expertise: Besides providing legal advice, we are seasoned litigators prepared to handle all aspects of your case, including courtroom proceedings. Our attorneys possess the necessary experience and skills to represent you effectively in court.
Recent Case Results
Meet Our Team
Thomas Feher, Esq.
Founding Attorney
Stephen Wiard, Esq.
Senior Trial Attorney
Sandy Luu, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Alex Ballard, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Karen Parra, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Chase Nielsen, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Betsy Gomez
Managing Paralegal
Erica Feher
Chief of Operations
How to File a Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit for Complex regional pain syndrome presents unique challenges due to the complexity of the condition and the need for substantial evidence. Here are key steps to consider when pursuing a lawsuit:
- Consultation with a CRPS Lawyer: We will assess the merits of your case and advise you on the best course of action.
- Gathering Evidence: Collect medical records, diagnostic tests, and documentation of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. Expert medical testimony from pain management specialists or neurologists may be compulsory in establishing the severity of your condition.
- Filing the Lawsuit: Once you’ve prepared the necessary evidence, we will file the lawsuit on your behalf. This initiates the legal process and formally notifies the defendant of the allegations against them.
- Discovery Phase: During discovery, both parties exchange relevant information and evidence. This may include interrogatories, requests for documents, and depositions of witnesses.
- Expert Testimony: Expert testimony is critical in to establish the diagnosis, causation, and extent of your injuries. We may consult with medical experts to provide credible testimony in court.
- Negotiation or Trial: Depending on the circumstances of your case, negotiations may occur with the defendant’s legal team to reach a settlement agreement. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to trial, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
- Resolution: If your case goes to trial, a verdict will be rendered based on the evidence presented. You may be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages if successful.
Compensation Claims & Damages You Can Seek
Determining the value of your personal injury case involves assessing different types of damages, each representing specific aspects of your losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages encompass tangible financial losses resulting from the injury. This includes medical expenses such as hospital bills, surgeries, medication, therapy, and rehabilitation. It also covers compensation for lost wages due to missed workdays, reduced earning capacity, and potential future earnings. Furthermore, they include reimbursement for property damage, such as damage to your vehicle in a car accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages represent intangible losses that affect your quality of life. This category includes compensation for pain and suffering, which encompasses physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the injury.
It also covers emotional distress, including psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues resulting from the accident. Furthermore, non-economic damages include compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life, reflecting the inability to engage in activities or hobbies you enjoyed before the injury.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct by the at-fault party. These damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future. While less common than economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are important in holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
How a CRPS Lawyer in San Bernardino Can Assist You
Here’s how a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer can assist you:
- Comprehensive Case Evaluation: Conducting a thorough evaluation of your case, examining medical records, gathering evidence, and assessing the extent of your damages to build a strong legal strategy.
- Medical Evidence Collection: Working closely with medical experts to gather comprehensive evidence documenting your diagnosis, symptoms, and prognosis. This evidence is necessary to prove your condition’s severity and impact on your life.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Handling all communication and negotiations with insurance companies. We will advocate for fair compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from your injury.
- Representation in Court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we will represent you in court. They will present compelling arguments and evidence to support your case and seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Immediate Steps After a CRPS Diagnosis
Taking immediate action is key. Here are the essential steps to follow:
- Seek Medical Treatment: Promptly consult with specialist healthcare professionals to begin treatment and document your condition.
- Document Symptoms: Keep detailed records of your symptoms, including pain levels, physical limitations, and any changes in your condition over time.
- Consult a CRPS Lawyer: Contact a specialized lawyer to discuss your case, understand your legal rights, and start gathering evidence. In San Bernardino County, our team of injury attorneys is always ready to speak with you about your injuries.
Acting swiftly can help protect your legal rights and strengthen your case for seeking compensation for damages.
How to Prove Your Case
Proving your case requires assembling as much evidence as possible:
- Medical Records: Gather comprehensive medical records detailing the diagnosis, treatment history, and symptom progression. These records serve as vital evidence to establish the existence and severity of the condition.
- Expert Testimony: Seek testimony from medical experts specializing in CRPS, such as pain management specialists or neurologists. Their expertise can help validate the diagnosis, explain the condition’s impact, and bolster your case before judges and juries.
- Documentation of Symptoms: Maintain detailed records of your symptoms, including pain levels, physical limitations, and functional impairments. Use pain journals, photographs, or videos to provide tangible evidence of the effects of your injury on your daily life.
- Employment and Financial Records: Document how the accident has affected your ability to work and earn a living. Provide employment records, income statements, and testimony from vocational experts to demonstrate any loss of earning capacity resulting from the condition.
- Psychological Impact: Acknowledge the psychological toll and seek documentation from mental health professionals or therapists. This evidence can illustrate the emotional challenges and diminished quality of life caused by the condition.
You Have a 2-Year Window to File
The statute of limitations for CRPS lawsuits is typically two years, starting from the date of injury or when the condition was diagnosed. Adhering to this timeframe is crucial, as failure to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations can result in losing the right to seek compensation.
Acting promptly ensures that your legal rights are protected and maximizes your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve for your condition and related damages.
Our Fees and Payment Structure
We offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t incur any upfront fees; instead, our fees are contingent upon the successful outcome of your case. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you. Our free initial consultation allows us to discuss your case and assess your legal options, including potential costs.
Our no-win-no-fee arrangement allows you to pursue justice without worrying about financial burdens. We’re fully committed to achieving the best possible outcome and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for you.
Further Information on CRPS
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a debilitating chronic pain condition that affects individuals following an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack. This condition, categorized into Type I and Type II, presents distinct characteristics and symptoms, significantly impacting the lives of those affected. We will explain these two types below:
Type I: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Type I CRPS, historically referred to as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or RSD, is characterized by the absence of confirmed nerve damage. Despite the absence of clear nerve injury, individuals with this type experience severe and persistent pain, often accompanied by various sensory and motor abnormalities.
The precise mechanisms underlying Type I remain elusive, contributing to the complexity of diagnosis and treatment.
Type II: Causalgia
Conversely, Type II, formerly known as causalgia, is distinguished by clear evidence of nerve damage. This damage may result from trauma, surgical procedures, or other neurological insults, leading to aberrant signaling within the nervous system.
Individuals with Type II typically exhibit more pronounced neurological deficits and may present with distinct clinical manifestations compared to those with Type I.
Common Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome manifests through a range of symptoms that can significantly impact daily life:
- Severe, Prolonged Pain: One of the most prominent symptoms is intense and persistent pain that is disproportionate to the severity of the initial injury or trauma. This pain may be constant or fluctuate in intensity over time and is often described as burning, throbbing, or stabbing.
- Swelling: The swelling may exacerbate pain and contribute to decreased mobility and function.
- Color Changes in the skin in the affected area, ranging from red or pink to pale or mottled. These color changes may indicate altered blood flow and circulation abnormalities.
- Temperature Changes: CRPS can also result in abnormal temperature regulation in the affected limb, leading to sensations of heat or coldness. The area may feel unusually warm or cold to the touch, even when the surrounding environment remains consistent.
- Sensitivity to Touch or Cold: Exposure to cold temperatures or even slight temperature changes may also trigger intense pain and discomfort.
- Changes in Skin Texture: The skin may become abnormally thin, shiny, or glossy, with changes in texture and appearance. Some individuals may develop hair loss or excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in the affected limb.
- Motor Dysfunction, leading to weakness, stiffness, or involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia) in the affected limb. This motor dysfunction may contribute to difficulties with movement and daily activities.
- Joint Stiffness: Chronic pain and inflammation can result in joint stiffness and decreased range of motion in the affected limb. This stiffness may further impair mobility and exacerbate functional limitations.
- Psychological Symptoms: Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress are common. The persistent pain and disability may also contribute to feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and isolation.
- Autonomic Symptoms: In some cases, changes in skin temperature, sweating, or hair growth patterns can occur. These autonomic disturbances reflect dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system and may exacerbate pain and functional impairment.
What Causes CRPS?
While the exact cause remains shrouded in mystery, it’s believed to involve significant disruptions in both the central and peripheral nervous systems due to any of the following:
- Trauma or Injury, such as fractures, sprains, or soft tissue injuries may trigger an exaggerated inflammatory response, leading to persistent pain and dysfunction.
- Surgeries: Certain surgical procedures, particularly those involving nerves or limbs, can damage and disrupt normal nerve function and contribute to the development of CRPS.
- Other Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, such as stroke, heart attack, or infections may induce systemic inflammation or affect nerve signaling pathways.
- Genetic Predisposition: While rare, genetic factors may influence how the body responds to injury or inflammation, increasing susceptibility to developing the condition.
- Immune System Dysfunction, including autoimmune disorders or abnormal immune responses, may contribute to the development of CRPS.
What to Expect
- Free Case Evaluation: We review the underlying accident, your diagnosis history, and the impact of CRPS on your daily life and work to assess liability and long-term case value.
- Medical Expert Retention: We retain pain management specialists, neurologists, and life care planners experienced with CRPS to document your diagnosis, prognosis, and lifetime treatment needs.
- Liability Investigation: We establish the at-fault party’s negligence that triggered your CRPS and document the medical connection between the accident and your diagnosis.
- Insurance Dispute Strategy: We anticipate and counter insurer challenges to CRPS diagnoses with strong medical testimony and documented treatment history.
- Trial Representation: CRPS cases are heavily disputed by insurers who often deny or minimize the condition. Feher Law is fully prepared to take your case to trial with expert medical support.
Legal Support in SB County
Our California complex regional pain syndrome attorneys serve clients throughout the county, including but not limited to:
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Contact Our San Bernardino CRPS Lawyers Now!
Whether you’re struggling to have your pain recognized or facing obstacles with insurance companies, our dedicated legal team is here to stand up for you.
The sooner you get in touch with us and schedule your free consultation, the sooner your complex regional pain syndrome lawsuit can be filed.
Contact us at (310) 340-1112 to schedule your initial consultation, or fill out the form below.
Last reviewed by Thomas Feher, Esq. – April 2026
Services We Offer
When it comes to your recovery and peace of mind, it’s vital to have an expert by your side that really understands the bigger picture of personal injury law. Explore the full range of services we offer below.
FAQs
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition that typically develops after an injury, surgery, or trauma. It is characterized by severe burning pain, swelling, skin changes, and hypersensitivity in the affected limb or area. CRPS occurs when the nervous system produces a disproportionate pain response. It is recognized by the medical community and the American Medical Association as a legitimate, disabling condition.
CRPS is diagnosed based on clinical criteria known as the Budapest Criteria. Proving it in a legal case requires consistent medical documentation, specialist diagnosis by a pain management physician or neurologist, treatment records, and expert testimony connecting the accident to the development of the condition. Insurers frequently challenge CRPS claims, which is why experienced legal and medical support is essential.
California's statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1. However, because CRPS symptoms sometimes develop weeks or months after the initial injury, the discovery rule may apply - starting the clock when you were diagnosed or reasonably should have known the condition was caused by the accident. An attorney advises on which timeline applies.
Recoverable damages include past and future medical treatment, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulator implantation, medications, psychological treatment for chronic pain, lost wages, future loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Because CRPS is often permanent, lifetime treatment costs can be substantial. Feher Law works with life care planners to project every future cost before any settlement.
Insurers dispute CRPS claims because the condition is diagnosed clinically rather than through objective imaging like an X-ray or MRI, and because symptoms can vary widely between patients. This allows adjusters to characterize the condition as exaggerated or fabricated. An attorney experienced with CRPS cases knows how to present the medical evidence and expert testimony that neutralizes these tactics.
Seek evaluation from a pain management specialist or neurologist as soon as symptoms develop. Document every symptom, flare-up, and how the condition affects your daily life and work. Follow all treatment plans and attend every appointment. Contact a CRPS attorney before speaking with any insurer - early legal involvement prevents the insurer from building a record that minimizes your condition.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION
Our team is standing by and ready to assist you. Consultations are completely free and confidential. We will help you determine if you have a case.
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
- We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- Get The Justice You Deserve
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