Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Injury & California Workers’ Compensation
Zealous California Workers’ Comp Attorneys Helping Injured Employees Obtain Coverage for RSD Syndrome
Not every condition tied to a workplace injury is immediately apparent. Sometimes, a condition can develop over time from repetitive movements, or it can appear weeks or months after a single injurious event. It’s important to report any workplace accident or injury to ensure that you are properly covered in the event you discover a work-related injury or illness.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) is a painful, debilitating condition that can arise in connection with a workplace injury. Due to the nature of the condition, proving the connection to a workplace incident can be difficult without knowledgeable legal assistance. If you are suffering from RSD after a workplace accident, you are entitled to coverage under your California employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. The California workers’ compensation law firm Invictus Law is prepared to help you file your claim and maximize your coverage, regardless of the nature of your injury.
What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD)?
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a condition characterized by long-lasting burning pain, typically in the arm, leg, hand, or foot after an injury to the soft tissue. RSD may also arise after a stroke or heart attack. Commonly, the pain caused by RSD is worse than the pain from the original injury. RSD pain can arise in multiple areas and radiate throughout the body, creating an excruciating experience that can prevent an employee from performing normal workplace tasks.
The precise cause of RSD is not known, though many medical experts believe that it is caused by a malfunctioning of the sympathetic nervous system. RSD most often results from trauma to the extremities. Symptoms of RSD include:
- Burning pain
- Skin sensitivity to touch
- Changes in skin temperature
- Changes in skin color, often to purple, pale, red, or blotchy
- Spasms of the muscles and blood vessels in affected areas
- Shiny and/or thin skin texture
- Swelling and stiffness in affected joints
- Functional limitations to the affected body parts
RSD is painful, debilitating, and commonly results from workplace injuries. If you have suffered an injury to your extremities and you subsequently experience burning pain or any other symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. Talk to a savvy California workers’ comp lawyer to find out if your condition can and should be covered by workers’ compensation.
Workers’ Comp and RSD
RSD often results from an untreated injury. Workers who are injured on the job are often afraid to report their injuries to their employers, lest they be punished or demoted. Over time, the pain can grow to the point that it prevents the worker from performing normal tasks.
Remember: Workers’ comp is your right, even if you were responsible for the accident that led to your injury. Leaving an injury untreated can lead to significant complications, including RSD. The last thing you want is to find yourself with a debilitating condition that prevents you from working and be unable to claim workers’ comp coverage because you never reported the injury.
RSD is a real condition, and if you can demonstrate that you suffer from RSD, you can collect workers’ comp coverage for your medical bills and lost wages that result. Proving RSD can be a difficult task, however, which is why you need to call in a seasoned workers’ comp attorney to help you out.
Get Help with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Claims in Orange County and the Inland Empire from a Passionate California Workers’ Compensation Attorney
For help getting the care and compensation you need for RSD syndrome or other injury-related conditions after a workplace accident in Orange County or the Inland Empire, call Invictus Law, P.C. in Orange or Ontario at 949-287-5711 or 888-9-WORKLAW. Reach out today for a free consultation with an experienced and effective California workers’ compensation lawyer.
