Ely Workers Compensation Attorneys

The legal issues after a workplace injury can feel intimidating. Our workers' compensation attorneys are here to support you. With steadfast dedication and specialized knowledge, our team is devoted to advocating for injured workers' rights. We meticulously secure fair treatment and rightful compensation, so you can concentrate on healing.

What Iowa Workers Need to Know About Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a severe and chronic condition often resulting from work-related injuries. Characterized by intense pain, swelling, and sensitivity, CRPS primarily affects the arms and legs, particularly following nerve damage. If you've been diagnosed with CRPS due to a work injury in Iowa, it's crucial to consult an Iowa Workers' Compensation lawyer to maximize your claim.

Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

CRPS manifests in various debilitating symptoms, which can vary in severity:

- Burning Pain: This typically affects the hands, arms, feet, or legs.
- Skin Sensitivity: The skin in the affected area may become highly sensitive to touch.
- Changes in Skin Texture and Color: The skin may become shiny, sweaty, red, blue, or white, and its temperature may fluctuate.
- Tender Skin: The skin in the affected area may be extremely tender.
- Nail and Hair Growth Changes: Abnormal nail and hair growth can occur.
- Joint Issues: Stiff, swollen, or damaged joints may develop.
- Muscle Spasms and Weakness: Muscle spasms and loss of muscle mass can occur.
- Decreased Mobility: The ability to move the affected limb can diminish.

The initial symptoms often include redness, swelling, hypersensitivity, and temperature changes. As CRPS progresses, the affected limb might become pale and cold, and the condition can become irreversible.

Causes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

There are two types of CRPS, each with distinct causes but similar symptoms:

- Type 1 (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome): This most common form occurs after an injury that does not directly damage the nerves in the affected limb.
- Type 2 (Causalgia): This type involves direct nerve injury.

CRPS typically follows forceful trauma, such as a shrapnel blast, or more minor injuries like sprained ankles or broken bones. Understanding the circumstances surrounding your initial work injury is essential, as CRPS is often linked to previous injuries.

Treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Treatment for CRPS involves a combination of medications and therapies:

- Heat and Cold Therapy: Cold therapy can reduce sweating and swelling, while heat therapy can relieve cold skin.
- Physical Therapy: Gentle exercises can improve strength and range of motion in the affected limb.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation: Electrical currents sent to the spinal cord may alleviate pain.

If CRPS is not treated, complications such as muscle loss and contractures (where the hand or foot contracts into a fixed position) can arise. Rehabilitation often accompanies medication therapy, addressing pain management, muscle inflammation, and depression, which may also require medication.

Long-term Prognosis and Management

CRPS requires constant management as there is no single protocol for treatment. The condition can improve gradually over time, with children and young adults typically experiencing better recovery. However, older adults, particularly those over 40, may suffer from CRPS much longer, sometimes permanently. Blocking or removing sympathetic nerves has shown mixed results, with success varying from patient to patient.

Iowa Injured Workers' Bill of Rights

Iowa law has protected injured workers since 1913, ensuring they have rights and access to workers' compensation insurance. Here are some key rights:

1. Payment of Medical Care and Mileage:
   - Medical Expenses: Employers must cover medical care and treatment costs, even if a claim is initially denied but later proven work-related.
   - Mileage Expenses: Workers are entitled to mileage reimbursement for medical appointments.

2. Compensation for Permanent Disability:
   - Workers with permanent disabilities receive compensation based on the affected body parts, disability extent, and average weekly earnings.

3. Right to Refuse Medical Care:
   - Workers can refuse medical procedures, though this decision might impact their case.

4. Weekly Benefit Checks While Recovering:
   - Workers receive weekly benefits based on their average earnings before the injury while they are unable to work.

Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)

MMI means that further significant medical improvement is unlikely. However, workers have the right to seek additional medical opinions. Iowa Code Section 85.39 allows for an independent medical examination (IME), paid for by the insurance company. Choosing the right IME doctor is crucial, as some doctors may favor insurance companies.

Handling Payment Issues with Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation insurance companies can stop payments without notice, often causing financial strain. In Iowa, insurance companies are required to provide 30 days' notice under certain circumstances. If payments stop, workers should:

1. Contact the insurance adjuster to determine the reason.
2. Keep records of payment dates and check envelopes.
3. Consult an experienced workers' compensation attorney if payments are continually late or have stopped.

Insurance companies can be penalized up to 50% of the owed amount for late payments, known as penalty benefits.

Getting Legal Assistance In Ely

Navigating the complexities of Iowa workers' compensation laws can be daunting, especially during the recovery process from a workplace injury. Seeking guidance from a seasoned Ely Workers' Comp attorney is invaluable in ensuring your rights are protected and maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.

Legal professionals play a pivotal role in gathering evidence, preparing documentation, and advocating for your interests throughout the claims process. Don't risk missing out on the compensation you deserve – enlist the support of a qualified attorney to navigate the complexities with confidence.

The Iowa Workers' Compensation attorney team at Walker, Billingsley & Bair know the importance of protecting your work injury claim from the get-go. That's why we provide this FREE book; Iowa Workers' Compensation - An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa work injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation - 641-792-3595.