Compensation for Nerve Damage in Lawton, OK
Nerve injuries are uniquely difficult to prove. Nerve symptoms aren’t visible on imaging. Numbness can’t be measured with a scan. Functional limitations are hard to measure. This makes building these cases distinctively challenging despite their potential severity. An attorney familiar with these complex cases builds these cases around the actual neurological evidence.
Why Nerve Damage Cases Are Distinctive
The Subjective Symptom Problem
Nerve symptoms are typically subjective. Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, burning sensations come from the patient.
Without visible damage, insurers challenge symptom reports.
Imaging Often Doesn’t Show Nerve Damage
Standard diagnostic imaging frequently miss nerve damage.
Nerve-specific testing can document nerve damage. But specialized testing isn’t always done.
Symptoms May Develop Over Time
Nerve damage may not be immediately apparent.
This creates causation questions.
Permanent Nerve Damage Often Cannot Be Repaired
After nerve damage, repair is often limited.
Damaged nerves may not fully recover.
Categories of Nerve Damage
Peripheral Nerve Damage
Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord is the most common nerve damage category.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Brachial plexus can be injured by significant trauma.
Brachial plexus injuries can range from mild stretching to complete avulsion.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Median nerve compression can develop from trauma.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Ulnar nerve compression.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tibial nerve compression at the ankle.
Sciatica
Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve commonly results from spinal injuries.
Spinal Nerve Damage
Spinal nerve damage often results from spinal injuries.
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy creates radiating symptoms.
Cranial Nerve Damage
Damage to cranial nerves can occur with head trauma.
Common cranial nerve damage involves:
- Facial nerve damage (Bell’s palsy or facial paralysis)
- Optic nerve damage (vision problems or vision loss)
- Trigeminal injury
- Other cranial nerve damage
Autonomic Nerve Damage
The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions. Autonomic nerve damage impacts sexual function.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
CRPS is severe and complex.
CRPS develops after injury and causes:
- Severe burning or aching pain
- Visible color alterations
- Temperature variations
- Edema
- Tissue changes
- Hair/nail growth changes
- Joint stiffness
This condition produces severe pain.
Common Causes of Nerve Damage
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle crashes commonly cause nerve damage.
Workplace Injuries
Lifting injuries, falls at work, repetitive strain can cause nerve damage.
Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Fall-related injuries generate nerve cases.
Medical Negligence
Medical procedures gone wrong drives many nerve injury cases.
Healthcare-related nerve damage involves:
- Surgical nerve damage
- Anesthesia nerve damage
- Diagnostic failures
- Medication-related nerve damage
Defective Products
Product-related nerve damage.
Repetitive Trauma
Repetitive stress injuries can cause cumulative nerve damage.
How These Cases Get Built
Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
Detailed neurological examination by specialty providers.
Specialized Testing
Electromyography (EMG)
Electromyography (EMG) evaluates muscle electrical signals.
Nerve Conduction Studies
Nerve conduction velocity tests test nerve signal transmission.
MRI
MRI imaging may show nerve compression or related structural issues.
CT Scans
CT imaging reveal structural issues.
Treating Physician Testimony
Treating neurologists and other specialists support the case medically.
Expert Medical Testimony
Medical experts establishes causation.
Functional Capacity Documentation
Real-world impact documentation becomes critical.
Patient Pain Journals
Documentation of pain levels, symptoms, and limitations over time support the subjective case.
Mental Health Treatment Records
Mental health consequences are common. Psychological care records support the comprehensive damages case.
Damages in Nerve Damage Cases
Nerve damage cases can support substantial damages include:
Medical Costs
- Diagnostic costs
- Testing costs
- Surgery costs
- Pain treatment
- Medications (often substantial)
- Physical therapy
- OT
- Pain medicine
- Psychological care
- Future medical care
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Nerve damage often eliminates the ability to perform certain types of work. Diminished earning capacity claims drive major damages.
Pain and Suffering
Nerve pain damages support significant compensation.
Long-term pain damages generate major damages.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Effects on daily activities and quality of life.
Mental Health Damages
Depression, anxiety, and other mental health consequences are typical.
Loss of Consortium
Spousal damages.
Wrongful Death
Where nerve damage contributes to death.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving egregious conduct may apply.
Long-Term Considerations
Permanent Nature of Nerve Damage
Many nerve injuries are permanent. Even with treatment, permanent symptoms are common.
Future Medical Care
Ongoing care over the patient’s life.
Future medical care may encompass:
- Continuing pain management
- Continuing specialty consultations
- Ongoing rehabilitation
- Pain management procedures
- Mental health treatment
Permanent Career Impact
Vocational impact is common, specifically for physical jobs.
Quality of Life Impact
Daily life with nerve damage generates major quality of life damages.
Common Insurance Defenses
“It’s All in Your Head”
“You’re making this up”.
The response involves comprehensive medical documentation.
“Pre-Existing Conditions”
Pre-existing condition defenses. The aggravation rule applies.
“Causation Problems”
Causation challenges.
“The Plaintiff Doesn’t Need This Much Treatment”
Defense argues plaintiff is receiving excessive treatment.
“Functional Recovery Will Occur”
Defense argues the nerve damage will heal.
“The Plaintiff Was at Fault”
“You contributed too”.
Critical Steps After an Incident That May Cause Nerve Damage
Get Specialized Medical Evaluation
Specialty neurological evaluation is critical.
Get Specialized Testing
EMG, NCS, MRI, or other specialized testing provides documentation.
Document All Symptoms in Real Time
Track all symptoms contemporaneously.
Track Functional Impact
Document how nerve damage affects daily activities.
Get Mental Health Care
Pain has psychological consequences. Psychological care supports comprehensive damages.
Don’t Sign Releases Without Counsel
Long-term consequences are typical. Early settlement typically substantially undervalues these cases.
Attorney Costs
Lawyers experienced with nerve damage claims charge no upfront fees. Expert costs run high reimbursed from the recovery.
Move Quickly
These cases need early documentation.
Contemporaneous documentation builds the case.
Specialized testing matters significantly.
Future medical care projections build with time.
The legal time limit sets a hard cutoff.
Engaging counsel right away positions the case for the substantial recovery these injuries support.