Norristown CRPS/RSD Lawyer

I have significant experience handling claims for people suffering from RSD. RSD- reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a chronic and painful condition marked, in part, by burning pain, excessive sweating, swelling, and sensitivity to touch. It is also called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

RSD can spread to different body parts. It can last a lifetime. Some people will improve and recover but many will not.

Doctors often disagree about many facets of RSD. However, it is a real condition with debilitating effects.

If you have a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation case involving Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, feel free to call or email Attorney Michael Cardamone of The Cardamone Law Firm, LLC for a Free Consult 7 days a week at (215) 206-9068 or Michael@Cardamonelaw.com  He has significant experience with these insidious conditions, how to handle the litigation, what testimony to elicit, and what doctors are best suited to treat them. Having CRPS or RSD is no picnic, and the added stress of trying to navigate the complicated Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation process alone will only serve to exacerbate your symptoms and stress levels. Employers and insurance companies do NOT like to admit that an injured worker has CRPS or RSD, let alone pay for it. Attorney Cardamone has several current cases involving these diagnoses and they are quite contentious as the medical experts often disagree about 1) how to diagnose it and 2) whether it’s causally related to the work injury.

Do not let your employer or insurer intimidate you into thinking that you don’t have CRPS or RSD or that it isn’t work-related. Let an experienced and Certified PA Work Comp Attorney review your case, including your medical records, to make this determination along with your treating physician.

Below is a link to information about CRPS and RSD to help you learn about the symptoms, the causes, and treatment options.

If you’re looking for a CRPS/RSD lawyer in Pennsylvania, the Cardamone Law Firm, LLC. could be a strong choice. They specialize in representing clients who suffer from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and have experience handling these cases in Pennsylvania.

A Recent Case Involving RSD

Cardamone filed a Petition to Review to expand the accepted diagnoses on the Notice of Compensation Payable (“NCP”) which listed his client’s injuries as several fractures, dislocation of the right arm and wrist, and a concussion.  The Notice of Compensation Payable in a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation case is a key, controlling document until otherwise amended. Cardamone sought to expand the NCP by adding Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (“RSD/CRPS”) of the right upper extremity. Defendant/Insurer would not agree to this notwithstanding the significant complex of symptoms exhibited by Claimant.

By way of brief summary, Claimant sustained a serious injury on September 6, 2011 while working as an engineer for the Employer, when he fell off a ladder, landing with his right arm wedged between the wall and the floor. He suffered excruciating pain and blacked out. He was admitted to Hahnemann Hospital where he had surgery and was admitted for one week before starting outpatient rehab. He started to have tremors in the affected arm and was re-hospitalized and referred to a neurologist. He had another surgery, to his wrist, in November 2012 due to extensive pain and tremors. He has continued to treat and has unrelenting symptoms including constant, heavy pain, feelings of hotness, needles, and tremors. Claimant’s symptoms are so severe that he cannot eat using his right arm and cannot even cut meat.

Litigation ensued and lasted 14 months. Cardamone presented his client’s testimony which the Workers’ Compensation Judge deemed credible. Cardamone also presented the deposition testimony of Claimant’s treating physician, a board-certified neurologist, who had examined Claimant on multiple occasions. The insurance company’s counsel presented the deposition of the Independent Medical Examiner (we know they aren’t independent, but hand-picked by the insurer), a board- certified neurologist, who claimed there were no clinical findings to support a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/RSD. Instead, he alleged the injury was a neuropathic pain process affecting the right hand secondary to the internal injuries.

However, on cross examination, Attorney Cardamone exposed numerous deficiencies in the medical expert’s examination and opinions. Cardamone revealed that the physician failed to ask Claimant whether he had swelling of the affected limb, whether he asked Claimant if he noticed any unusual sweat patterns, whether Claimant noticed any temperature changes in the limb, and what type of pain levels he was experiencing. These are all important hallmarks of RSD/CRPS. Moreover, Cardamone elicited testimony from the physician revealing that the medical expert for the insurer had not reviewed any of the medical records for treatment after his examination in April 2012, nor had he reviewed Claimant’s testimony or that of Claimant’s medical expert.

The Workers’ Compensation Judge issued a 16 page Decision summarizing the facts, the law, and why Cardamone had met his burden of proof in demonstrating that the Notice of Compensation Payable should be amended to include Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the right upper extremity. In addition, litigation costs were awarded.

As a result of the Decision from the Workers’ Compensation Judge, Cardamone’s client can now receive the treatment he needs to help with his incapacitating pain without having to worry about the financial stress.

Another Case Involving a Client with CRPS

We also secured a significant victory for a client who suffers from disabling Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, formerly referred to as RSD- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

At issue were Ketamine Infusions which the insurer challenged. The challenge came quickly on the heels of a previous victory by Cardamone Law- which secured CRPS/RSD as a work-related diagnosis in the case. The insurer claimed the infusions weren’t reasonable and necessary. Cardamone successfully convinced the Workers’ Compensation Judge that they were in fact reasonable and necessary as they provided significant symptom relief to his client when it had been administered prior to the insurer lodging their challenge. (via “Utilization Review”).

Cardamone’s client suffers from horrific symptoms and this victory allows his client to receive the infusions which will greatly enhance his quality of life. The Judge credited the opinion of Claimant’s medical expert, and also found Claimant’s testimony to be credible. Litigation over the issue lasted one year.