Am I Eligible for Insurance Coverage for CRPS?

CRPS, or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, is a neurological condition in which the individual experiences severe pain and discomfort in their extremities, especially their hands, legs, arms, and feet. Although there can be numerous reasons that might have caused an individual to suffer from CRPS, it sometimes occurs due to negligence on the part of healthcare experts and injuries caused by others. 

Now, no matter what caused CRPS, one can’t deny that the condition alters the life of the patient to a different extent based on the severity of the pain. Hence, experts have designed the CRPS severity score to determine the level of pain and discomfort. Understanding CRPS severity scoring helps the people closely related to the patient comprehend their condition, helping them take appropriate actions. In the following article, we will discuss CRPS severity scoring and help you determine whether you are eligible for CRPS insurance coverage or should claim compensation. 

What is CRPS? 

As mentioned in the introduction, CRPS is a neurological condition that causes pain in the extremities of the patient’s body, such as the hands, feet, arms, and legs. CRPS  has a grave impact on a person’s limbs, sleep, mental health, and overall quality of life. 

Many research studies have concluded that CRPS occurs due to dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system, also called the central nervous system, which controls the brain and the spinal cord. Studies have also shown that CRPS occurs more in individuals who were assigned female at birth than in those who were assigned male at birth.

What is the CRPS Severity Score? 

CRPS severity score is a tool that is used to measure the severity of the CRPS that an individual is going through. The tool works on the principles of Budapest CRPS diagnostic criteria, which are dichotomous (Yes/ No) criteria. 

The tool is used by an experienced healthcare provider who presents 16 signs to the patient, and based on the presence and absence of these signs, a yes or a no is allotted. The higher the yes, the more severe the conditions are. The tool is a great instrument for patients to communicate their pain and discomfort with their loved ones and caretakers, which in turn helps healthcare professionals take appropriate actions.

Am I Eligible for a CRPS Insurance Coverage, or Should I Opt for Compensation? 

CRPS is usually caused by dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. If the condition is caused by unknown reasons, you can claim the health insurance that you are enrolled under. 

However, if one of the following reasons is the root cause of CRPS, it is best to claim compensation. 

1. Bone fracture, sprains, or strain caused by others: You can claim compensation if you believe that a bone fracture, sprain, or strain occurred due to the negligence of others and has caused an injury that led to CRPS. 
2. Surgical incisions: There have also been instances where a surgical incision or a stitch has caused injury to the nervous system, which has led to CRPS. In this situation, you can claim compensation from the healthcare professionals who were liable for the injury. 

If you are currently dealing with one of the situations mentioned above, you are eligible for compensation. The CRPS  severity scale, in this case, works as evidence to determine the graveness of the condition. The compensation usually falls under the defendant’s liability insurance coverage, which covers all your medical bills. 

How to Claim for the Compensation? 

1. Gather all the evidence: Without proof, you won’t be able to settle your claim. Hence, make sure you have all the information and evidence you need to prove that the defendant was at fault. 
2. Hire an attorney: This is probably the most important step as personal injury claims are very complicated and only a professional will be able to tackle them. 

Conclusion

If your CRPS has been caused by the negligence of others, you are eligible for compensation. However, the journey to fair compensation is difficult and comes with a lot of hardships. Hence, hiring an attorney who is experienced in personal injury claims is essential.