Tel: 0161 720 6700 Email: info@brianbarr.co.uk
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy [RSD] / CRPS
Ms NE was injured at work when she slipped on some plastic beads. Although her employers disputed liability the court held they were entirely responsible for the accident. Ms NE was therefore entitled to recover damages.
Ms NE’s initial injury was a fracture to her right arm. However, she claimed that as a result of this injury she developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy. She underwent two operations but continued to suffer debilitating pain in her right arm.
Her quality of life was drastically affected. She suffered from sleeping difficulties and often had to sleep during the day in a chair. She also experienced a scalding sensation in her arm as a result of clothing covering the injury site or hot/cold weather.
She was only able to use her arm for short periods and ultimately had to give up work. Her prognosis was poor and it was unlikely that there would be any improvement in the future.
The court accepted that her reflex sympathetic dystrophy had been caused by the accident and she was awarded £261,992.35 in damages. Nearly £170,000 of the award was for past and future loss of earnings.
Ms BJB slipped on a protruding paving stone. She suffered a sprain to her right hand and wrist and went on to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy and chronic pain syndrome.
Ms BJB underwent various treatments for her injuries. Following the treatments she suffered dizziness, pain, headaches and nausea.
Unfortunately, despite the treatments, Ms BJB was left with a wrist that was of little functional use. She had to wear a wrist splint during the day for the foreseeable future. She also suffered virtually continuous pain in her right hand.
Amongst other difficulties she experienced a reduced power of grip in her hand. This was particularly devastating for Ms BJB as prior to her accident she was a professional musician and a very gifted double bass player. She had studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Had she not succeeded as a soloist she would have obtained a position in a leading orchestra. However, as a result of her injuries she was unable to play the double bass. Her career as a professional musician had therefore come to an end.
The court accepted the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy had been caused by the accident and she was awarded £194,582.79 plus interest.
Links
RSD UK
323 Leymoor Road
Golcar
Huddersfield
HD7 4QQ
Helpline: 0845 22 66 008
www.rsd-crps.co.uk
